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By Tracy Moses
Medical doctors have urged Nigeria to fast-track the integrationDoctors Seek Faster AI Adoption in Nigeria’s Healthcare System of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its healthcare system, while also calling on practitioners to take more deliberate steps towards sound financial planning.
The call was made during the Seventh Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the University of Ilorin Medical Class of 2009, held virtually and attended by alumni practising in Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisers said the conference served as a platform for discussions on emerging global healthcare trends and the evolving future of medical practice. Participants stressed the importance of innovation, financial security, and active contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
Referencing the World Health Organisation (WHO), speakers noted that prioritising AI in healthcare has become imperative due to its capacity to improve service delivery and tackle global health challenges, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The WHO has also warned that the rapid pace of technological advancement is outstripping existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
Delivering the lead scientific lecture, Dr. Lawal Lukman, a U.S.- and U.K.-trained clinical AI expert, described Nigeria as being richly endowed with vast but underutilised medical data. He noted that the country possesses the largest pool of Black clinical data globally, yet less than five per cent of AI models worldwide are trained on such datasets.
According to him, this disparity undermines the accuracy and global applicability of AI-driven tools for diagnosing, predicting, and managing diseases among African populations.
Dr. Lukman called on Nigerian doctors to improve the documentation of routine clinical encounters and ensure that patient records are properly structured to meet international research and AI-readiness standards.
He explained that well-curated data from specialties such as cardiology, dermatology, pathology, radiology, and obstetrics and gynaecology could significantly advance machine-learning innovations.
“Organised and secure clinical records can attract global research partnerships, enhance clinical decision-making, and create new revenue streams. If Nigeria gets its data right, the global AI community will come here to train their models,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of strong data governance, cybersecurity infrastructure, and ethical safeguards to protect patient confidentiality and prevent the misuse of health information within the AI ecosystem.
On financial well-being, the Managing Director of Value Alliance Asset Management, Mrs. Yvonne Akintomide, advised medical professionals to be more intentional about long-term financial planning.
She observed that the demanding and unpredictable nature of medical practice often causes doctors to overlook critical aspects of personal finance. Akintomide outlined the opportunities and risks associated with various financial instruments, including private equity, commercial papers, equities, bonds, treasury bills, mutual funds, pension schemes, and trusts.
She underscored the need for effective budgeting, insurance-backed risk management, consistent savings, estate planning, and diversified investment portfolios. She also encouraged the alumni to consider collective investments, such as establishing a Health Maintenance Organisation, noting that similar initiatives have been successfully implemented by medical associations abroad.
“Financial literacy is not optional. Doctors must be intentional about their financial stability to ensure personal well-being and long-term career sustainability,” she said.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr. Qudus Lawal, urged participants to translate the knowledge gained from the conference into practical action, adding that its true impact would be measured by improved patient care, stronger health systems, and personal growth.
In his remarks, the Class Chairman, Dr. Tijani Abdulrasheed, commended members of the Class of 2009 for their achievements across the globe and encouraged them to remain committed to excellence in clinical practice, research, leadership, and community service, while continuing to support their alma mater.
The statement also highlighted the group’s philanthropic activities, including a medical outreach at the Children’s Specialist Hospital Centre, Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, where hospitalised children received medical and financial assistance.
Dr. Lawal explained that the outreach was conducted in memory of seven deceased classmates. The AGM also featured the presentation of annual scholarship awards to outstanding medical students of the University of Ilorin and a reaffirmation of continued welfare support for the families of departed mem