July 11, 2025 — Lagos, Nigeria – A renowned medical expert, Dr. Rufus Ojewola, has commended the progress made in Nigeria’s surgical field over the past five decades, describing the advancements as “tremendous.”
Speaking during a health forum on Tuesday, Dr. Ojewola, a leading consultant surgeon, highlighted that despite systemic challenges, Nigeria’s surgical capabilities have grown significantly in both scope and sophistication.
“In the last 50 years, we’ve witnessed a transformation in surgical practice across the country,” he stated. “From basic procedures to complex, minimally invasive surgeries, Nigerian surgeons are now performing operations that rival global standards.”
He noted that the expansion of teaching hospitals, improved training of medical personnel, adoption of modern technologies, and increased international collaborations have contributed to the country’s growing success in the surgical space.
Dr. Ojewola also pointed out that Nigerian doctors in the diaspora continue to contribute to the development of local capacity through training and knowledge transfer initiatives.
While acknowledging the ongoing challenges such as poor infrastructure and brain drain, he urged both government and private stakeholders to invest more in the health sector to sustain the gains recorded.
“We have the talent, we have the will – what we need now is stronger policy support and funding,” he said.
The expert’s remarks come at a time when the Nigerian medical community is intensifying efforts to improve local healthcare delivery and reduce dependence on medical tourism.