Experts have raised concerns over the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, warning that weak regulatory frameworks could expose patients to risks and widen existing inequalities.
The concerns were highlighted at a policy dialogue titled “AI in Healthcare: Risk or Asset?”, held at the French Institute in Abuja, where stakeholders from government, healthcare, and development sectors examined the growing role of AI in medical services.
Participants acknowledged that AI is already reshaping diagnostics, laboratory operations, and patient management systems. However, they noted that regulatory oversight has not kept pace with the speed of technological advancement.
Director of the institute, Thierry Vapentin, said the forum was convened to foster critical discussions on emerging global issues, stressing the need to balance innovation with ethical considerations in sensitive sectors such as healthcare.
Providing a policy perspective, Anthony Ayeke of the European Union Delegation cautioned against overreliance on automated systems, noting that while AI can enhance efficiency and access, human oversight remains essential to ensure patient safety and sound clinical judgment.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Premier Health Systems Consults, Niyi Osamiluyi, called for the urgent establishment of a comprehensive ethical and regulatory framework to guide AI deployment in Nigeria. He identified transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, data protection, and auditability as critical pillars, warning of potential accountability gaps if responsibility for AI-driven outcomes is not clearly defined.
Concerns over data integrity were also raised by Joshua Kojalo, who pointed to ongoing digital health initiatives, including mobile platforms aimed at expanding health insurance coverage. He warned that reliance on foreign datasets could introduce systemic bias, potentially excluding vulnerable populations, and advocated for increased investment in locally generated data.
From an operational perspective, Temitope Agbana of AIDX Medical noted that AI has significantly improved laboratory efficiency and processing capacity. Nonetheless, he emphasised that such systems should complement—not replace—human expertise, as no AI solution is entirely error-free.
Equity concerns were further underscored by Chimezie Anyakora, Chief Executive Officer of Bloom Public Health, who warned that inadequate regulation could disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities and deepen healthcare disparities.
Participants cautioned that without deliberate safeguards, Nigeria risks evolving into a two-tier healthcare system, where advanced AI-driven services are accessible mainly to affluent populations, leaving rural and low-income communities underserved.
The forum concluded with a consensus on the need for urgent regulatory action, capacity building, and inclusive policy design to ensure that AI adoption delivers equitable and safe healthcare outcomes.
Experts stressed that while artificial intelligence holds significant promise for transforming healthcare delivery, its benefits will only be realised through responsible implementation backed by strong governance.
