RHV Completes First Robotic Surgery in Landmark Advance for Nigerian Healthcare

Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) in Redemption City, Ogun State, has successfully performed its first robotic-assisted surgery, marking a significant step in bringing advanced, high-precision medical care closer to Nigerians and reducing the need for overseas treatment.

The pioneering procedure, a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy on a middle-aged man with localised prostate cancer, was carried out by a team led by Prof. Obi Ekwenna-Davies (also referred to as Prof. Obi Davies-Ekwenna), co-founder and CEO of US-based RoboMed Global Inc., in collaboration with RHV’s in-house specialists. The patient is expected to be discharged within 24 hours, highlighting one of the key advantages of the minimally invasive approach.

Dr Adedamola Dada, Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, described the achievement as a major milestone in the facility’s mission to become a premier destination for quality healthcare in Nigeria.

“This development will improve access to advanced surgical care and reduce medical trips abroad,” he said. The hospital, in partnership with RoboMed Global, plans to conduct six to seven additional robotic procedures in the coming week, targeting conditions including prostate cancer, kidney cancer, uterine cancer, colorectal cancer and other complex cases requiring precise intervention.

Robotic-assisted surgery uses advanced systems that provide surgeons with enhanced three-dimensional visualisation, greater dexterity and millimetre-level precision through smaller incisions. Experts at RHV noted that this results in less tissue damage, reduced blood loss, lower risk of infection, decreased post-operative pain and significantly shorter hospital stays compared with traditional open surgery. Patients often recover faster and return home sooner, sometimes the same day or the next.

ADVERTISEMENT

The procedure forms part of a broader robotic surgery programme launched earlier by RHV in partnership with RoboMed Global, a Nigerian diaspora-led organisation. The initiative, backed by an estimated $4 million investment, aims not only to deliver services but also to build lasting local capacity. RHV is establishing a robotic surgery academy, expected to train surgeons, nurses, biomedical engineers and other professionals, with formal training pathways scheduled to begin in October in collaboration with institutions including Redeemer’s University and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

Prof. Ekwenna-Davies emphasised that the technology is particularly valuable for localised prostate cancer, allowing precise removal of the prostate while preserving surrounding structures where possible. He stressed that the partnership goes beyond installing equipment: the goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem of skilled Nigerian professionals capable of delivering and expanding these services independently.

Cost remains a central focus. RHV is working to make the procedures more accessible, with a prostate cancer operation projected at around ₦20 million—substantially lower than rates at some other facilities or the far higher costs of equivalent treatment abroad (reported at roughly five per cent of typical US or European prices). The programme targets patients across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

Redeemer’s Health Village, a faith-based 300-bed multispecialty hospital established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has positioned the robotic service as part of its commitment to world-class care delivered closer to home. Officials credit the vision of the church leadership, including Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, alongside the dedication of the surgical, anaesthesia, nursing, biomedical and technical teams.

While robotic surgery remains relatively new in Nigeria—RoboMed Global reported earlier cases elsewhere in the country starting in late 2025—the successful procedure at RHV signals growing momentum. Supporters, including federal health officials who earlier endorsed the programme’s launch, see it as a practical contribution to curbing medical tourism, strengthening specialist capacity and improving outcomes for patients who previously had limited options at home.

The first robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy at Redeemer’s Health Village is more than a technical milestone. It represents a concrete expansion of advanced surgical options available on Nigerian soil, with the potential to benefit many more patients in the months and years ahead as the programme scales and local expertise deepens.