Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) has successfully completed its first robotic-assisted surgery, marking a significant development in the hospital’s efforts to expand access to advanced surgical care in Nigeria.
The procedure was a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, performed to remove a localised prostate cancer. RHV Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adedamola Dada, announced the development on September 17, 2026, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The surgery was carried out at Redeemer’s Health Village in partnership with RoboMed Global Inc., a US-based organisation involved in the hospital’s robotic surgery programme. The procedure was led by Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davies, a professor of urology and co-founder of RoboMed Global.
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What the Robotic Surgery Involved
A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure in which the prostate gland is removed, and it is one of the treatment options for some men with localised prostate cancer. In a robotic-assisted procedure, the surgeon controls specialised instruments through a robotic system, allowing the operation to be performed through small incisions.
According to Professor Ekwenna-Davies, the robotic approach used at RHV was suitable for the patient because the cancer was localised within the prostate. He also explained that the technology can allow more precise manipulation of tissue while using smaller incisions than traditional open surgery. 2
Robotic surgery does not mean that a machine independently performs the operation. The surgeon remains responsible for controlling the robotic system and making the clinical decisions during the procedure. The technology is designed to assist the surgeon with movement and visualisation.
RHV’s Robotic Surgery Programme
The first operation follows the formal launch of RHV’s robotic surgery programme in August 2026. The programme was established in partnership with RoboMed Global and includes plans to train Nigerian healthcare professionals in robotic surgery and related areas. 3
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare welcomed the programme, particularly its emphasis on training and developing local expertise. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the initiative could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to provide advanced surgical care within the country.
RHV has also said that the programme is intended to build a wider team of professionals capable of supporting robotic procedures. This includes surgeons as well as other members of the surgical and technical teams.
A New Step for Advanced Surgery in Nigeria
The completion of the prostatectomy gives RHV a practical starting point for its newly launched robotic surgery programme. The hospital has indicated that other procedures, including kidney cancer surgery, are expected to form part of its robotic surgery services.
For patients, the significance of the development goes beyond the presence of a robotic system. The long-term value of robotic surgery in Nigeria will depend on having properly trained professionals, appropriate patient selection, reliable technical support and the infrastructure needed to maintain and safely operate the technology.
RHV’s first robotic-assisted prostatectomy therefore represents an early milestone in the hospital’s broader effort to introduce advanced minimally invasive surgery while developing the local expertise needed to sustain it.
