Imo State recorded a landmark achievement in medical science on Friday, August 21, 2026, by successfully performing its first-ever robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery. The operation positions Imo State as a pioneer in advanced surgical innovation in Nigeria.
The precision operation was conducted at the newly commissioned Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC), situated within the Imo Specialist Hospital Complex in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area.
The surgical procedure was led by UK-based consultant robotic and laparoscopic surgeon, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, an indigene of Imo State. He operated alongside an international multi-disciplinary team of medical experts hailing from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Belgium.
Prof. Ekwueme explained that the state-of-the-art robotic system integrates artificial intelligence to magnify surgical tissue up to 10 times with built-in safety controls.
Performed using minimally invasive techniques without massive cuts. Resulted in no blood loss or nerve damage, ensuring preservation of urinary control and erectile function. Designed so patients can resume normal activity and be discharged within 24–48 hours post-procedure.
”I feel emotional because you can do this anywhere in the world, but to come back and do it for your own people is something I don’t take for granted,” stated Prof. Ekwueme following the successful outcome.
Speaking at a briefing at the Government House in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodimma confirmed that the facility was delivered under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Governor Hope Uzodimma disclosed” Our plan has never been to acquire sophisticated medical equipment and leave it idle. Equipment must be matched with competence, and technology must be matched with training. This facility serves as a hub for continuous skill transfer to local healthcare workers while curbing outbound medical tourism.”
Dr. Prosper-Ohayagha Success Nwaogwugwu (Imo Health Commissioner) highlighted that the establishment of IROC marks a transition to positioning Imo State as a primary hub for specialized oncology and complex surgeries across West Africa.
The successful intervention marks a major leap forward for local healthcare access, proving that complex, life-saving prostate procedures can now be safely completed in Nigeria without requiring medical travel abroad.
