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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has unveiled GenScan AI, an artificial intelligence technology capable of reducing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware.
Developed by Mary-Brenda Akoda, the technology won the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI) and was presented to health-sector stakeholders in Abuja as part of efforts to explore its potential application in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to the NPSI Advisory Board, GenScan AI uses its C-MORE algorithm to reconstruct MRI images through a one-step framework, potentially cutting scan acquisition time by as much as 90 per cent while maintaining or improving image quality.
The breakthrough could allow hospitals to examine more patients, reduce waiting times and maximise the use of existing MRI machines, particularly in a country where access to advanced diagnostic services remains limited.
General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, said faster and accurate diagnosis was critical to effective treatment.
She said the company’s interest extended beyond recognising scientific excellence to ensuring that research could translate into practical benefits for Nigerians. “Our interest goes beyond recognising an outstanding idea. We want to see scientific research make a practical difference in people’s lives.”
She added that GenScan AI offered the prospect of faster medical imaging and better utilisation of existing equipment, while the stakeholder engagement would help determine what was required to move the innovation towards practical application.
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Chairman, Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof Barth Nnaji, said Akoda’s innovation stood out for its scientific strength and potential to address a practical healthcare challenge.
He said engagement with clinicians and other stakeholders would be critical in determining how the technology could be safely and effectively deployed.
Akoda emerged winner from record 237 entries submitted under the theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development.”
Her selection followed an independent assessment by the Panel of Judges, chaired by Dr. Omobola Johnson, and subsequent endorsement by the Advisory Board.
She is the first woman and first millennial to win the prize as an individual recipient. She is expected to receive the $100,000 award at the Grand Award Night on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Sponsored by NLNG, the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation promotes scientific research and technological innovations capable of solving practical challenges and improving lives.
The presentation of GenScan AI to healthcare stakeholders marks an important step towards testing how the technology can move from research to clinical application in Nigeria.
