Artificial Intelligence in the Nigerian Healthcare System: Revolutionizing Access, Efficiency, and Care – Williams Ogochukwu Ugbomeh

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in healthcare worldwide, and Nigeria is increasingly harnessing its potential to address long-standing issues within the sector. With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria’s healthcare system has long struggled with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to medical services in rural areas, a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, and high costs. These issues often result in significant healthcare disparities across the country. AI holds the promise of improving access to care, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment plans, and ultimately lowering costs. By integrating AI technologies into Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the country can leapfrog traditional barriers to quality healthcare, making services more efficient, accessible, and affordable.

At present, the market for AI in Nigerian healthcare is small but growing at an impressive rate. According to a report by PwC, the AI healthcare market in Nigeria is expected to grow from $0.01 billion in 2022 to

$0.13 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.22%. This rapid expansion is driven by the increasing adoption of AI technology and the clear need for more efficient healthcare solutions. Despite this promising outlook, Nigeria’s healthcare system still faces significant obstacles, including high inflation, a lack of medical infrastructure, and limited access to care in rural areas. These challenges underscore the importance of leveraging AI not just as a technological advancement but as a critical tool to bridge gaps and improve healthcare outcomes across the country.

The opportunities for AI in Nigerian healthcare are vast. AI-powered tools such as predictive analytics, diagnostic algorithms, and virtual health assistants are already making a significant impact. For instance, Nigerian startups like “mDoc” have introduced AI-driven platforms like “Kem,” an AI-powered chatbot that provides preventive care and supports individuals with chronic conditions. This initiative allows patients to access essential health information remotely, significantly improving healthcare access in rural areas where medical professionals are scarce. Similarly, “10mg” has launched an AI-based credit scoring system, which offers quick, collateral-free loans to healthcare providers, allowing them to deliver better care despite financial constraints. Another example, “ADVISER”, is an AI-based system designed to increase vaccination rates, and it has been successfully deployed in over 13,000 households in Oyo State, demonstrating how AI can optimize health interventions and improve public health outcomes. These examples showcase AI’s potential to enhance the efficiency and reach of healthcare services, reduce barriers, and ensure that more Nigerians have access to quality care.

Despite its promise, the integration of AI into Nigerian healthcare faces several limitations. One of the most significant challenges is the potential for data bias. AI systems are often trained on data that may not be representative of Nigeria’s diverse population, which could lead to inaccurate diagnoses or treatment recommendations. For example, a diagnostic model trained on data from other countries might not recognize disease patterns specific to Nigeria’s unique health profile. To address this, AI models must be designed with diverse and representative data to ensure that they are adaptable to the unique health profiles of Nigerians. AI’s impact on the workforce remains a concern, with many healthcare workers fearing that automation could lead to job losses. However, studies indicate that AI will not replace healthcare professionals but will instead augment their capabilities. AI can support healthcare workers by assisting in decision-making, improving diagnostic accuracy, and streamlining administrative tasks, thereby freeing up time for healthcare providers to focus on patient care. To mitigate these concerns, AI should be implemented in ways that complement and enhance the skills of healthcare professionals rather than replacing them.

The adoption of AI in Nigerian healthcare is still in its early stages but is steadily gaining momentum. Many healthcare professionals in Nigeria recognize the potential benefits of AI, with 66.7% of surveyed healthcare workers believing that AI will augment human intelligence and improve service delivery. Additionally, 77% of healthcare workers agreed that machine learning could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems. However, for AI to be successfully adopted and fully integrated into the healthcare system, Nigeria must invest in training and education to ensure that healthcare workers are adequately prepared to work alongside AI technologies. As AI continues to evolve, ongoing education and upskilling of healthcare professionals will be crucial to maximizing the benefits of AI in the healthcare sector. As Dr. Adebayo Ogunniyi, a Lagos-based doctor using AI to enhance patient care, puts it, “AI is not just about automating processes; it’s about empowering healthcare workers to make better decisions faster.”

Government and private sector initiatives are essential for fostering AI adoption in Nigerian healthcare. While the Nigerian government has made strides in supporting digital health and AI-driven initiatives, more comprehensive regulatory frameworks are needed to guide the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies. These frameworks should address issues such as data privacy, security, and bias in AI algorithms. Currently, Nigeria lacks a clear regulatory structure governing the use of AI in healthcare, which is critical as the technology evolves. Additionally, private sector players, particularly startups and tech companies, are playing a crucial role in driving AI innovation in the healthcare sector. Companies like Koniku, founded by Nigerian-born bioengineer Osh Agabi, are working on integrating AI with biotechnology to create innovative solutions, such as devices capable of detecting disease markers. The collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to ensure that AI technologies are deployed effectively and ethically to address Nigeria’s healthcare needs.

Looking ahead, the future scope of AI in Nigerian healthcare is promising, provided that key challenges are addressed. AI, including deep learning, image recognition, and other machine learning techniques, is set to revolutionize diagnostics and treatment planning. Deep learning, for instance, has already demonstrated its effectiveness in medical imaging, helping to identify diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and malaria more accurately and quickly than traditional methods. Image recognition technologies can analyze medical scans such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs with high precision, which could reduce diagnostic errors and improve the speed of treatment, particularly in underserved regions where specialized care is limited. AI- driven predictive analytics also has the potential to improve public health by forecasting disease outbreaks and optimizing healthcare resource allocation, ensuring that treatment plans are data-driven and proactive.

Nigeria’s healthcare sector faces significant hurdles, AI presents a powerful tool to overcome these challenges and improve the overall quality of care. The integration of AI in healthcare, from enhancing diagnostics to streamlining service delivery, has the potential to revolutionize the sector. Deep learning and image recognition technologies hold great promise for improving the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses, while AI-powered predictive analytics can optimize healthcare delivery and resource allocation however, for AI to reach its full potential, Nigeria must address challenges such as data bias, workforce concerns, and infrastructure gaps. By fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, and healthcare professionals, Nigeria can build a robust and effective AI ecosystem that transforms its healthcare sector and improves outcomes for all its citizens. As the adoption of AI technologies grows, Nigeria can position itself as a leader in the application of AI in healthcare across Africa, providing a model for other countries to follow.