NSIA EXPANDS HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT AS LOCAL TREATMENT CAPACITY RECORDS MAJOR GAINS

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has intensified its investment in the country’s healthcare sector, with its healthcare subsidiary, MedServe, recording significant progress in cancer treatment, diagnostics and the development of specialised medical infrastructure.

The Authority said its intervention was driven by the need to make quality healthcare services that were previously difficult to access in Nigeria, or only available to Nigerians travelling abroad, more affordable and accessible within the country.

Through MedServe, NSIA established and operationalised several specialised facilities, including the MedServe-LUTH Cancer Centre in Lagos, the MedServe Kano Diagnostic Centre and the MedServe Umuahia Diagnostic Centre.

The MedServe-LUTH Cancer Centre, commissioned in May 2019, became the first oncology centre in Nigeria to offer 3D conformal radiotherapy and currently has the largest concentration of radiotherapy equipment in West Africa. The centre also played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing advanced cancer treatment to Nigerians who could not travel abroad for medical care.

Since its establishment, the Lagos cancer centre has provided more than 25,000 radiotherapy sessions and 10,000 chemotherapy treatments to approximately 15,000 patients. The facility has also recorded cases of Nigerians being referred back from overseas providers because of the quality and relatively lower cost of treatment available locally.

The NSIA said the interventions have helped reduce the country's dependence on overseas medical treatment. It estimated that more than $200 million in foreign exchange outflows have been prevented through the availability of specialised healthcare services within Nigeria.

The impact has also extended beyond Lagos. By December 2025, the diagnostic centres in Kano and Umuahia had provided pathology and radiology services to more than 410,000 patients, supporting earlier diagnosis and improving access to specialised medical services in regions where such capabilities were previously limited.

Beyond physical infrastructure, NSIA said it has adopted a broader strategy aimed at developing a sustainable oncology ecosystem. The approach focuses on training skilled healthcare professionals, expanding clinical research and establishing partnerships with leading international medical institutions.

MedServe has collaborated with organisations including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of Maryland Medical Center and Bio Ventures for Global Health. These partnerships are expected to improve access to clinical trials, new treatment options and specialised knowledge in oncology, radiology and pathology.

The Authority has also established an annual Oncology Summit designed to bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, regulators and academics for knowledge-sharing and capacity development.

As part of its next phase of expansion, MedServe is developing a broader national healthcare network across 13 states. The programme includes plans for 13 new diagnostic centres, three additional oncology centres and three cardiac catheterisation laboratories, with cardiology being introduced as a new service line.

The expansion is being supported by long-term partnerships with global medical equipment manufacturers Siemens and GE, covering equipment supply, maintenance, training and procurement.

NSIA also secured up to $24.3 million in blended financing from the International Finance Corporation and the International Development Association to support the expansion. The financing structure is expected to reduce the cost of capital and improve the affordability of healthcare services.

The Authority said commissioning of the new facilities was scheduled to begin from mid-2026, as part of its broader objective of expanding access to high-quality healthcare across Nigeria.

NSIA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the organisation's healthcare strategy was focused on building sustainable national capacity rather than allowing Nigerians to remain dependent on foreign healthcare systems.

The Authority's intervention reflects a growing effort to position investment in healthcare not only as a social responsibility but also as a long-term economic development strategy capable of retaining skills, reducing medical tourism and strengthening Nigeria's healthcare infrastructure.

With further diagnostic, oncology and cardiac facilities planned across the country, NSIA expects its healthcare investments to expand access to specialised treatment while contributing to a stronger and more resilient Nigerian health system.