In a ground-breaking medical achievement, Nigeria has become the first country in West and Central Africa to successfully perform the UroLift procedure, a revolutionary treatment for benign prostate enlargement (BPE). The surgery, led by Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, was carried out last weekend at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos.
The UroLift, also known as the Prostate Urethral Lift, is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional prostate surgeries, offering relief from urinary symptoms while preserving sexual and reproductive function. Unlike conventional treatments that involve cutting or removing prostate tissue, the UroLift uses tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra — eliminating pressure and improving urine flow.
Describing the successful operation as “truly historic,” Prof. Ekwueme said, “Today, I’ve performed the first UroLift procedure in Africa, and that’s indeed a milestone. This treatment offers the unique advantage that erection and ejaculation are fully preserved after surgery.” According to him, the procedure takes less than an hour, is performed under local or spinal anaesthesia, and allows patients to return home the same day — without the use of a catheter. Ideal for men with prostate sizes up to 80 millilitres, it requires a thorough medical evaluation to rule out prostate cancer or other complications beforehand.
The introduction of the UroLift procedure in Nigeria signals a major step forward for men’s health and reflects the country’s growing capacity to deliver world-class medical care locally. “Nigerians travel overseas and are often treated without dignity,” Prof. Ekwueme noted. “With the UroLift now available here, they can receive safe, modern care at home — with proper follow-up and continuity.” Medical tourism costs Nigeria an estimated $3 billion annually, much of it from patients seeking treatment for urological and prostate conditions abroad. The availability of advanced procedures like UroLift is expected to reduce this outflow, cut costs, and improve long-term health outcomes through better local aftercare.
Prof. Ekwueme warned that untreated prostate enlargement can result in severe complications such as bladder damage, kidney failure, and complete urinary blockage. “When a man starts waking several times at night to urinate or loses control of his bladder, that’s a warning sign. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential,” he said.
The Prostate Clinic, founded by Prof. Ekwueme after his return from the diaspora, has already introduced robotic surgery for prostate cancer in Nigeria. With the successful deployment of UroLift, the clinic is positioning itself to become Africa’s hub for advanced prostate treatment. This historic milestone not only transforms how prostate conditions are treated in Nigeria but also represents a broader shift toward medical innovation and self-reliance across the continent.
