Doctors Push for Faster AI Adoption in Nigeria's Healthcare - and Stronger Financial Planning for Clinicians
Nigerian doctors are calling for faster integration of Artificial Intelligence into care delivery and for practitioners to take financial planning more seriously. The message came from the Seventh AGM and Scientific Conference of the University of Ilorin Medical Class of 2009, held virtually with alumni across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and beyond. The focus was clear: improve care quality through data-driven practice while securing personal and institutional financial resilience.
Why AI in healthcare can't wait
Speakers cited the World Health Organization's position that AI can improve service delivery and support progress on global health goals, while warning that technology is moving faster than regulation. See WHO's guidance on AI ethics and governance for health for context: WHO publication. The takeaway: plan for adoption and regulation at the same time.
Nigeria's data advantage is underused
Delivering the lead scientific lecture, Dr. Lawal Lukman noted that Nigeria holds the largest pool of Black clinical data globally, yet less than five percent of AI models are trained on such datasets. That gap limits diagnostic accuracy and decision support for African populations. The fix starts with better documentation and structure at the point of care.
He urged clinicians to improve the quality and structure of routine records, making them AI-ready and useful for research. Well-curated data in cardiology, dermatology, pathology, radiology, and obstetrics and gynaecology can meaningfully advance machine learning use cases. "Organised and secure clinical records can attract global research partnerships, enhance clinical decision-making, and create new revenue streams," he said.
Guardrails: governance, security, ethics
Speakers stressed strong data governance, cybersecurity, and ethical safeguards to protect patient confidentiality and prevent misuse. That includes clear consent processes, role-based access, audit trails, and accountability for how data is collected, stored, shared, and used in AI workflows. Trust will determine the speed and scale of adoption.
Practical action plan for hospitals and clinicians
- Structure clinical data at the source: use consistent fields, standard templates, and clear metadata.
- Tighten data security: encrypt storage, enforce access controls, and set up continuous monitoring.
- Create a data governance group: define policies for consent, de-identification, sharing, and model validation.
- Start focused pilots in high-yield areas (e.g., radiology triage, dermatology image support, OB/GYN risk prediction).
- Measure outcomes: accuracy, time-to-diagnosis, readmissions, patient experience, and cost.
- Upskill teams: basic AI literacy for clinicians, data stewardship for health records staff, and MLOps awareness for IT. For structured learning paths, explore job-focused AI courses: Complete AI Training.
Financial well-being: build stability to fund better care
On personal finance, Value Alliance Asset Management's Managing Director, Mrs. Yvonne Akintomide, urged doctors to be deliberate with long-term planning. Clinical workloads are demanding, and that often leads to delayed decisions on savings, investments, and protection. She outlined risks and opportunities across private equity, commercial papers, equities, bonds, treasury bills, mutual funds, pensions, and trusts.
- Start with a clear budget, adequate insurance, and consistent savings.
- Diversify across asset classes based on risk tolerance and time horizon.
- Document an estate plan and set up beneficiary designations.
- Explore collective investments, including an HMO, as a way to pool capital and expertise.
Her message was blunt: "Financial literacy is not optional. Doctors must be intentional about their financial stability to ensure personal well-being and long-term career sustainability."
From talk to outcomes
Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Qudus Lawal, challenged attendees to turn insights into action. He noted that the real scorecard is improved patient care, stronger systems, and personal growth. Class Chairman, Dr. Tijani Abdulrasheed, applauded members for their global impact and urged continued excellence in clinical practice, research, leadership, and service to communities and their alma mater.
Giving back
The group highlighted a medical outreach at the Children's Specialist Hospital Centre, Igboro, Ilorin, where hospitalised children received medical and financial support. Dr. Lawal said it was conducted in memory of seven deceased classmates. The AGM also featured annual scholarships for outstanding medical students of the University of Ilorin and a reaffirmation of ongoing welfare support for the families of departed members.
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