The Group Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, Mr. Ejovi Aror, has emphasized the urgent need for a reliable and well-structured backbone infrastructure to enable the successful adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Nigeria’s healthcare system. He said such infrastructure would ensure that the country can build indigenous solutions without depending on imported technology or foreign expertise.
Aror made this statement during the inaugural Nigeria AI Forum for Medical Directors (NAIFMED) Workshop, hosted recently by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) ICT-Driven Knowledge Park in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
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Themed “Transforming Healthcare: AI-Driven Solutions for Nigeria’s Medical Future,” the workshop convened an array of top medical professionals, researchers, tertiary hospital directors, ICT experts, and stakeholders from across Africa. The event served as a platform for discussions on the transformative role of AI in clinical practice and healthcare delivery.
Speaking as a panelist on the session titled “AI and Robotics in Clinical Practice,” Mr. Aror drew a parallel between the present opportunities for AI in medicine and the early days of Nigeria’s digital evolution in the banking industry. He recalled how the establishment of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) overcame infrastructural deficiencies through innovation and strategic planning.
“There was no infrastructure when we began building NIBSS, but we crafted solutions to address the challenge,” Aror said. “I am confident that we can replicate the same success in driving AI adoption within Nigeria’s medical sector.”
He stressed that AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery by improving diagnostics, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency, but achieving these benefits requires a strong technological foundation. According to him, Nigeria’s healthcare industry must invest in digital connectivity, reliable data networks, and institutional capacity to support AI-driven systems.
The workshop also witnessed the induction of the Nigerian Healthcare AI Implementation Special Aid Group (NHAISIG), a specialized body dedicated to promoting structured and responsible integration of AI into the nation’s healthcare ecosystem.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that a collective approach involving government agencies, private sector players, and academic institutions is critical to achieving sustainable AI implementation that meets global standards.
