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A critical new report is calling for a major overhaul in Nigeria’s healthcare, identifying telemedicine, receiving medical care remotely, as the only practical solution to the country’s massive healthcare access crisis.
This expose and well-researched document, titled “The Future and Opportunities of Telemedicine in Nigeria,” comes straight from the Rome Business School Nigeria (RBSN) Research Centre, following extensive research into the country’s economy and health sector. The message is clear: digital health is the key to better health outcomes and economic growth, if Nigeria can tackle its core issues.
The reality on the ground might be seen as grim. Nigeria’s healthcare system needs significant development. It suffers from severe underfunding, spending only about 4% of its GDP on health. This lack of adequate funding means a devastating shortage of personnel, resulting in a shocking ratio of just one doctor for every 2,500 people.
Geography also affects healthcare delivery in the country. More than half of Nigerians live in rural areas that are essentially medical deserts, no hospitals, no clinics, and certainly no specialists. This forces people who are already sick to travel over a hundred kilometres just to see a doctor.
Telemedicine, which lets you see a doctor via video chat or mobile app, is the answer to this gap. The report strongly argues that digital consultations can finally bridge the urban-rural divide. It also offers a huge economic benefit: by cutting out travel costs and offering cheaper remote appointments, telemedicine provides affordability to those living in poverty. Platforms like MyMedicalBank and CloudClinic are already proving this is possible on Nigerian soil.
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The driving force behind this influential study is the Rome Business School’s leadership. The Founder of Rome Business School Italy and Rome Business School Nigeria, Prof. Antonio Ragusa, who also serves as the Dean. And Mr Olakunle Asunmo, General Manager and Mr Sam Igwe, Head of Academics, Rome Business School, Nigeria.
Despite the bright promise, the report is unflinching about the “devastating challenges” that are stalling progress. The biggest hurdle is basic infrastructure: unstable electricity and poor internet access mean that about 80% of rural locations cannot currently support effective telemedicine services.
Adding to the complexity is the tragic “brain drain,” where an estimated 5,000 medical workers are leaving Nigeria every single year, putting a constant strain on expertise. Finally, there’s the administrative and human side: the country lacks a clear regulatory framework for digital health, and low digital literacy in many areas makes it hard for people to trust and use the new technology.
Looking ahead, the report predicts a digital health boom. The next decade will be defined by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced mobile tech, with AI-driven diagnostics making remote care more accurate and accessible.
The financial forecast is equally exciting, with projections showing the sector could generate a massive revenue of ₦185.66 billion before 2026. Early successes are already visible, with virtual prenatal care showing the potential to cut maternal mortality by a significant one-fifth.
However, the analysis ends with a strong warning: without urgent, massive investments in infrastructure, the benefits of digital health will remain locked away. The study cautions that by 2035, coverage might only reach 50% of urban areas and a mere 20% of rural areas. The success of telemedicine, the report concludes, requires a “concerted effort”, a true partnership between the government, private companies, and educators, to finally tear down these systemic barriers.
