It is certain knowledge that Nigerians are among the greatest modern innovators and pioneers in many fields and intellectual pursuits. In Nigeria’s dynamic healthcare landscape, the history of Nigerian healthcare is distinguished by certain hospitals that have pioneered groundbreaking surgeries, acquired advanced medical equipment, and established specialized departments.

These trailblazing institutions have elevated the standard of medical care and inspired innovation and progress across the country. These hospitals have set remarkable milestones in Nigerian medical history, from performing the first successful open-heart surgery to introducing state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies and complex techniques. Join us as we explore some stories of these exceptional hospitals, their landmark achievements, and their pivotal role in transforming healthcare in Nigeria.

University College Hospital, Ibadan (UCH)– First Plastic Surgery – 1962

A major field in medicine is Plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is not just limited to particular procedures or medical conditions but deals with many medical specialists. They are often referred to as the surgeon’s surgeon., and act as consultants to surgeons and physicians. Plastic surgery in Nigeria began in 1962 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan with Mr. Michael Nobert Tempest, a British surgeon serving as a consultant, and Mr. J.O. Olwasanmi (later a Prof.) working under him as a Senior Registrar. This marked the first practice of plastic surgery in Nigeria. Prof. J. O. Oluwasanmi was then appointed the first Indigenous Plastic Surgeon Consultant in Nigeria by 1967.

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu – First Open-Heart Surgery – 1987

On the 1^st of February 1987, the first open-heart surgery in Nigeria was done at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. The surgery, a repair of calcified aneurysmal patent ductus arteriosus, was performed by a team of incredible surgeons including M. Yacoub, F.A. Udekwu, C.H. Anyanwu, and others. Early 1970s developments followed this surgery in Ibadan. Today, multiple Nigerian centers are advancing open heart surgery capabilities, collaborating globally to treat congenital and acquired cardiac conditions.

Eye Foundation Hospital, Lagos – First Multispecialty Eye Hospital/First Ophthalmologist Resident Training – 1993

The Eye Foundation Hospital, Lagos is credited as the first eye care group practice in Nigeria. It was a private practice founded by Dr. Adekunle Hassan in 1993 and catered to a nation that not only had few Ophthalmologists but lacked the means to train residents in the field. In fact, Ophthalmologists were trained mostly from the United Kingdom and Eye Foundation Hospital became the first hospital to be accredited to train residents in Ophthalmology in 2004.

National Hospital, Abuja – First Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine – 1999

The National Hospital Abuja is recorded as the hospital responsible for the first installation of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Nigeria. This occurred in 1999. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed images of the body’s internal structures. It is useful for diagnosing a variety of conditions, including brain and spinal cord injuries, tumors, joint injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders. Since this technological advancement in Nigeria’s healthcare, there have been several MRI units installed in many hospitals across private and public healthcare facilities in the country.

National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala-Kano – First Spine Injury Surgery – 2005

The National Orthopaedic Hospital is the second orthopaedic hospital in Nigeria’s history and the first orthopaedic hospital purposely built to provide healthcare services for congenital and acquired trauma and deformities in Nigeria by 1959. In 2005, the hospital was recorded as the first to perform a spine Injury Surgery. The operation, known as open reduction pedicel screw fixation, was performed by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Mohammed Salihu.

Lagoon Hospital, Lagos – First Metallic Replacement of arm bone and joints – 2013

In 2013, a team of surgeons from Lagoon Hospital, Lagos performed the very first surgery in Nigeria involving metallic replacement of the whole arm bone (humerus), shoulder, and elbow joints on a patient. The hospital is the first in Nigeria and West Africa to record a successful medical metallic replacement procedure, led by Dr. Segun Abudu, a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham United Kingdom, UK, seconded to Lagoon Hospital.

Federal Medical Centre, Yola (FMC) – First Separation of Conjoined Twins – 2013

The earliest recording of the separation of conjoined twins in Nigeria is accredited to the Federal Medical Centre which has had successful separations of conjoined twins from 2013 till date, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Auwal Abubakar. The Chief Medical Director, during a case presentation, explained that the procedures have been a success thanks to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd and Emeka Offor Foundation, Nigeria Air Force (NAF), and Yola German hospital.

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) – First Successful Bone Bridge Surgery in Nigeria – 2015

In December 2015, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) carried out the first successful Bone Bridge Surgery in Nigeria and even West Africa as well as successful Cochlear Implant surgeries on three deaf patients with solely Nigerian doctors. The Bone bridge is a partially implantable hearing system that consists of an internal implant and an externally worn audio processor. The external audio processor is held above the implant by magnetic attraction to receive sound and convert it into a signal transmitted through the skin to the internal implant to the inner ear.

Reddington Hospital, Lagos – First Complex Open-Heart Surgery – 2015

The Reddington Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos successfully performed complex open-heart surgery on a 66-year-old patient, Mr. Oluwatoyin Adebiyi, involving a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Mitral Valve repair. This intricate procedure, led by Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Prof. Kamar Adeleke and Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Michael Sanusi, was part of the new Tristate Reddington Cardiac programme. According to Dr. Olutunde Lalude, the Group Medical Director, the surgery required temporarily stopping the heart and using a Heart Lung Machine. The team repaired the malfunctioning Mitral valve and bypassed three blocked vessels before successfully restarting the heart. Prof. Adeleke noted that when the patient’s heart rate dropped, a temporary pacemaker was used to stabilize him, allowing the team to proceed with the seven-hour surgery involving 19 expert team members from various specialties.

Wellington Clinics Abuja – First Computer-Assisted Brain Surgery – 2016

In 2016, Wellington Clinics Abuja marked a significant advancement in neurosurgical capabilities within the country with neuronavigation-guided brain surgery. Wellington used sophisticated computer-assisted technology for precise, real-time guidance during complex brain surgeries. By integrating preoperative imaging with intraoperative navigation, this technology enhances surgical accuracy and patient outcomes. This achievement showcased Wellington Clinics’ commitment to cutting-edge medical technologies and positioned Nigeria at the forefront of neurosurgical innovation in Africa.

Kelina Hospital, Abuja/Lagos – First Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) – 2018

In 2018, Kelina Hospital was the first in West Africa to perform Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). The hospital has since, successfully conducted over 100 HoLEP procedures. Attracting patients who would rather go for surgeries outside the country, the hospital demonstrates that local medical tourism is driven by advanced technology rather than a lack of trust. As pioneers of the P120 Laser in Africa, Kelina Hospital enables patients to go home the same or the next day after HoLEP or Lithotripsy, which is in line with its stated commitment to efficient and effective healthcare.

Evercare Hospital, Lekki Lagos – First Advanced Paediatric Surgery – 2022

In 2023, Evercare Hospital conducted the First Laparoscopic Thoracoscopic Repair of Oesophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal fistula in Nigeria and West Africa. This ground-breaking first was performed at the multispecialty hospital on a 3-day-old infant with severe respiratory distress, an inability to pass a feeding tube for liquid nutrients, and three previous episodes of cardiac arrests. The successful surgery was performed by Arua Igwe Obasi, the lead paediatric surgeon at Evercare.

Tristate Healthcare Systems, Lekki, Lagos – First Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery- 2023

Nigeria recorded its first-ever minimally invasive open-heart surgery in 2023, at Tristate Healthcare Systems, Lekki, Lagos. The complex surgical procedures were Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – Off-Pump, and Mitral Valve Replacement. Both were done without big cuts on the chests of the patients. The surgeries were done on four different patients while their hearts were beating. Kamar Adeleke, renowned Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine said the Tristate Healthcare Systems used procedures use techniques that have never been done in Nigeria, including the ground-breaking minimally invasive heart surgery.

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) – First non-surgical heart closure – 2023

In June 2023, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital became the first public health institution in Nigeria to perform a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) closure at its Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. This heart procedure, which closes a hole between the left and right ventricles, can be performed either through open heart surgery or a non-surgical method using a disc-like device without making an incision in the chest wall. Patients undergoing this procedure can be discharged within two hours.

Eleos Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, Abia – First Bipolar Enucleation of the Prostate using Laparoscopy – 2023

In 2023, An Umuahia-based medical facility, Eleos Specialist Hospital, became the first Nigerian Hospital to perform the Bipolar Enucleation of the Prostate without open surgery. The hospital announced its new technological advancement which unlike other conventional endoscopic methods allows the removal of prostates completely irrespective of the size without opening up the patient’s body and further ensures less patient recovery time at the hospital as fast as a day or two after the procedure.

These groundbreaking surgeries and techniques pioneered by Nigerian hospitals highlight the vital role of advanced medical equipment and technology. These institutions have raised medical care standards through cutting-edge procedures, from the first open-heart surgery to minimally invasive heart operations. With ongoing access to better equipment and expertise, Nigerian hospitals can perform more complex surgeries, reducing medical tourism and enhancing the country’s global healthcare reputation.

This progress promises improved patient outcomes and economic growth, positioning Nigeria as a hub for high-quality medical care. At Sariva Healthcare, we share this focus by improving accessibility to premium, affordable healthcare in Africa through equipment procurement, facility design, and practice partnership and advisory services. Our mission is to help hospitals grow, achieve recognition and international certification, pioneer medical breakthroughs, and ultimately, improve national health.