Nigeria may soon emerge as a top destination for advanced prostate treatment following a major medical breakthrough at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos.
A team led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a Consultant Urological, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Surgeon, successfully performed the first UroLift surgery in Nigeria, marking a historic moment in the country’s medical history.
Professor Ekwueme, who returned to Nigeria after years of medical practice abroad, established The Prostate Clinic to provide world-class urological care locally. His vision is to end the country’s heavy dependence on foreign hospitals for prostate-related treatments.
For years, thousands of Nigerians have traveled overseas for prostate care, spending billions of naira annually — and in some cases, losing their lives due to complications or poor follow-up. But this milestone offers new hope for Nigerian men, as cutting-edge procedures once exclusive to foreign hospitals can now be done safely, effectively, and affordably at home.
During a live demonstration witnessed by Vanguard, Professor Ekwueme and his team performed the Prostate Urethral Lift (UroLift) procedure — a minimally invasive treatment for prostate enlargement. The process involved inserting a telescope through the urethra to locate the prostate and then using tiny implants, deployed like a stapler, to lift and separate the obstructing tissue.
The surgery was completed in under an hour, with no cuts, no tissue removal, and minimal discomfort. According to Prof. Ekwueme, one of its biggest advantages is that it preserves erection and ejaculation, unlike many traditional surgeries.
After the procedure, Prof. Ekwueme described the moment as “truly historic.”
“Today, I’ve performed the first UroLift procedure in Africa. This treatment gives men relief from prostate enlargement while preserving their sexual function,” he said.
The UroLift technique, he explained, is ideal for men whose prostate size is below 80 millilitres. It can be done under local or spinal anaesthesia, allowing patients to return home the same day.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prostate disorders — particularly prostate cancer and benign enlargement — have become a major health issue in Nigeria. WHO data shows that one in six Nigerian men will develop a prostate condition in their lifetime, while prostate cancer makes up over 29% of all male cancers in the country.
Experts have long blamed the high mortality rate on late diagnosis, poor access to modern care, and limited awareness. But Prof. Ekwueme believes innovations like the UroLift procedure will change that narrative.
“Nigerians no longer need to travel abroad for prostate treatment,” he said. “With this technology now available here, patients can receive safe and modern care without leaving the country.”
He added that having advanced care locally not only saves money but also ensures better follow-up and quality control, something often missing in foreign treatments.
Prof. Ekwueme also warned men to pay attention to early symptoms of prostate issues.
“If a man wakes up frequently at night to urinate or struggles to control his bladder, that’s a warning sign,” he said. “Ignoring it can lead to urinary blockage, bladder damage, or even kidney failure.”
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He stressed that the UroLift procedure restores normal urinary function without affecting a man’s sexual performance — a key reason many men hesitate to seek help.
“There’s no impact on erection or ejaculation. For younger men who still want to have children, that’s a major relief,” he added.
Looking ahead, The Prostate Clinic plans to keep expanding access to high-quality urological care across Africa.
“Our goal is to make Nigeria the prostate treatment hub of Africa,” Ekwueme said proudly. “We’ve done robotic surgeries for prostate cancer and now the first UroLift in Nigeria. This is just the beginning.”
