Nigeria has achieved a major medical breakthrough as Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a leading consultant urological and robotic surgeon, successfully performed the country’s first-ever robotic prostate cancer surgery today, Monday, at the newly established Lagos Prostate Clinic.

This historic procedure makes Nigeria the first country in West Africa to offer robotic-assisted prostate cancer treatment, bringing advanced medical care closer to home.

Prof. Ekwueme, who has been performing keyhole surgeries in Nigeria since 2022, said the clinic was inspired by top European medical centres and designed to offer state-of-the-art robotic surgeries to Nigerian patients.

He explained that his dream had always been to create a specialised centre where prostate cancer could be diagnosed and treated using the most advanced technology available. 

While he had previously collaborated with hospitals in Nigeria to perform keyhole surgeries, the Lagos Prostate Clinic is now the country’s first super-specialised centre focused primarily on robotic-assisted procedures.

The procedure was performed using the da Vinci robotic system, an advanced surgical tool that enhances precision and minimizes recovery time. 

“Unlike traditional open surgeries, which require large incisions, robotic surgery is performed through tiny keyhole ports, reducing blood loss, scarring, and hospital stay. 

The da Vinci robot provides three-dimensional, high-definition imaging, allowing surgeons to see the prostate with incredible clarity. It also has seven degrees of movement, mimicking the flexibility of a human arm, which enables delicate and intricate procedures. This precision helps surgeons spare vital nerves, making it easier for patients to regain urine control and erectile function after surgery,” he explained.

Prof. Ekwueme, who has already performed over 200 keyhole surgeries in Nigeria, emphasised that not a single patient has required a blood transfusion, a testament to the efficiency and safety of the technique.

He explained that robotic surgery allows for a faster recovery, with patients able to go home the very next day.

“The patient I operated on today will be back home tomorrow, and you wouldn’t even know he had surgery unless he tells you. This is the future of surgery, and today, we have made history in Nigeria,” he said.

Until now, robotic surgery was unavailable anywhere in West Africa, with South Africa being the only other country on the continent offering the technology. This meant that Nigerian patients had to travel to Europe or Asia for such procedures, often at a great financial and emotional cost.

Prof. Ekwueme is determined to change that. He stressed that his goal is not financial gain, but rather a deep passion for transforming surgery in Nigeria and making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial status.

“I don’t want robotic surgery to be something only the rich can afford. Why should someone have to fly to India or the UK for a procedure that can now be done right here in Lagos? Our people have suffered enough. This is about bringing world-class healthcare home, where it belongs,” he said.

Beyond performing robotic surgeries, Prof. Ekwueme is also focused on training Nigerian doctors in this advanced technique. Over the past three days, his team has been training local surgeons, and he hopes to collaborate with the government to expand the programme. 

He emphasized that keyhole surgery should not be a privilege or a rare opportunity but something any patient can access in Nigerian hospitals. 

He also expressed his willingness to partner with the government, offering his expertise for free as long as the right structures are put in place to ensure proper training and certification of surgeons.

As part of his advocacy for better prostate health, Prof. Ekwueme urged Nigerian men to avoid unverified herbal treatments and dietary fads, warning that such remedies do not cure prostate cancer and could delay proper treatment. 

He stressed the importance of early detection and professional medical care, noting that modern technology now offers men a better chance at survival and recovery.