A Nigerian consultant robotic, urological and laparoscopic surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme known for bringing advanced robotic surgery to West Africa—has revealed plans to partner with Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, to establish a world‑class Robotic Surgery Academy at the university.
Prof. Ekwueme announced this on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, when he, accompanied by his robotic surgical first assistant Joanne Roberts, his hospital administrator and operations lead Blessing Onyekachi, and Sir Donald Ekenta, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice‑Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, and other members of the university’s management committee in the Vice‑Chancellor’s conference room.
In his address, Prof. Ekwueme said, “I am particularly excited about the prospect of partnering with Imo State University to establish the first Robotic Surgery Academy in Africa. I look forward to an exciting relationship that will produce the first‑of‑its‑kind curriculum for academic training in conjunction with practical robotic surgery technical training.”
“I believe such an academy, which does not currently exist in Africa, would attract international visitors to Imo State University. IMSU should gain global academic attention through this project. I am very excited about it. We are here to put our heads together with the aim of establishing a world‑class Robotic Surgery Academy that will especially benefit IMSU and serve as a beacon for transformative change across Africa in advanced robotic systems and artificial intelligence.”
He noted that he developed robotic surgery and performed the first procedure for West and Central Africa in Lagos last year (2025). He said he is extremely excited that construction of the Imo State Robotic Center has been completed and that the center is preparing to perform the first series of such operations in the South‑East, with a formal launch to follow.
Prof. Ekwueme, a specialist in urology and uro‑oncology with a focus on prostate, kidney and bladder cancers, also performs laparoscopic and robotic “keyhole” procedures. He trained at the University of Ibadan Medical School, completed urological and surgical training on the Merseyside training scheme in the UK, earned a doctoral thesis on prostate cancer from the University of Liverpool in 2014, completed a Robotic Surgery Fellowship in Paris, and has collaborated with teams in France and Germany.
He was appointed Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Glan Clwyd Hospital in Wales in 2015. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Bangor University and an Honorary Lecturer at Cardiff and Swansea medical schools.
Reacting to the announcement, the Vice‑Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, expressed great delight that IMSU had been selected to host the world‑class Robotic Surgery Academy, which he described as the first of its kind.
He thanked Professor Ekwueme and his team for their vision, describing Prof. Ekwueme as “a global citizen, humble and unassuming,” and assured them that Imo State University is ready and willing to partner with them. He said the university will provide all necessary support and cooperation to ensure the project becomes a reality. He also thanked Sir Donald Ekenta for recommending IMSU to the robotic surgeon.
Adding his voice, the Provost of IMSU College of Health, Orlu, Professor Jude Egwurgwu, said that just three weeks ago IMSU was approved as a Simulation Center for West Africa in Simulation Medicine, and that the center is situated at the Orlu campus. He added that people will come to IMSU to study Simulation Medicine from across West Africa. He described the partnership with the Robotic Center and the approval for IMSU to become a simulation center as a milestone for the university.
Members of the university management committee and staff of the College of Medicine present at the courtesy call included: the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor (Academic), Professor Agnes Osita‑Njoku; the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor (Administration), Professor Onuh Martin Onuh; the Registrar, Mr. Cajetan N. Curtis Azubogu; the Bursar, Mr. Fidelis Njoku; the University Librarian, Professor Blessing Solomon‑Uwakwe; the Director of Works and Services, Engineer Dr. V. C. Igiri; the Director of Physical Planning, Dr. Ken Oguh; the Dean of Basic Clinical Medicine (represented by Dr. Chinedu Opara); the Dean of Basic Medicine, Professor Promise Nwankpa; the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor; the Personal Assistant to the Vice‑Chancellor, Dr. Chinenyeze Amaechi, Esq.; the Secretary, IMSU College of Medicine, Mr. Ambrose Okereafor; and the Secretary to the Vice‑Chancellor, Dr. Chioma Nwachukwu.
Dr. Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor is a Lecturer in the Department of Development Communication Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, as well as the Acting Public Relations Officer, all in Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. He earned a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Mass Communication, Master of Science (M.Sc) in Mass Communication, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Mass Communication and another Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Economics, all from Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria. He also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), from National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Dr. Onyekachi Augustus Nwaozor is a Google Scholar, Media Consultant, a Public Speaker and a Prolific writer. He has authored and co-authored numerous Text Books, Book Chapters, Journal Articles and Conference Proceedings, among others. He is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) as well as a member of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)
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