By Bukola Hameed
Global concern is mounting over Nigeria’s rapidly deteriorating healthcare system as experts warn that the country is facing a severe shortage of radiographers, a crisis already impacting patient care nationwide.
The alarm was raised on Tuesday during the 57th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
In his keynote address, Prof. Felix Erondu, a Professor of Radiography, revealed that Nigeria currently has only about 5,000 registered radiographers, far below the 50,000 minimum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a country of its size. He questioned why the shortage had been allowed to escalate and called for urgent national reforms to address the gaps.
Prof. Erondu stressed that Nigeria’s health sector must prioritize strengthening the radiography profession. He encouraged radiographers to take on more prominent roles in global conversations about climate and health, proposing the creation of a new chapter titled “Radiography for Climate Resilience.”
He also urged universities and training institutions to fully implement the Doctor of Radiography programme, which he said would help produce highly skilled imaging professionals. To address the workforce deficit, he appealed to the Federal Ministry of Health to introduce special incentives for radiographers willing to serve in rural communities, where the shortage is most severe.
Prof. Erondu further noted that hospitals could drastically cut operating costs by adopting smart technologies and renewable energy solutions, such as solar power. He encouraged professional bodies to publish yearly workforce and migration reports to guide better retention strategies.
Calling on private-sector partners, manufacturers, and technology innovators, he urged investment in renewable-energy-powered diagnostic equipment and smart imaging tools suitable for regions with poor electricity supply.
“If we can get to a point where I do not need to run a 24-hour power supply to power an MRI, or use a 300kVA generator to run a 64-slice CT scanner… and if we can have mobile solutions that transmit images via teleradiology platforms, the dynamics will change,” he said.
He added that AI-driven image interpretation and disease-detection algorithms “will change the dynamics for us radiographers,” calling on academia to design AI models tailored to Nigeria’s demographics, disease patterns, and local realities.
“We need massive investment in mobile and solar-powered off-grid digital units,” he insisted.
Sanwo-Olu Praises Radiographers: “Silent Guardians of Life”
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbo Salaudeen, received an honorary patron award during the conference.
In his remarks, the governor praised radiographers for their crucial—yet often unnoticed—role in saving lives.
“Radiographers are silent guardians of life. Through your work, diseases are discovered, diagnoses are confirmed, and lives are saved,” he said.
“You help doctors see what the human eye cannot see, guiding decisions that bring hope.”
He noted that Lagos State has invested heavily in new diagnostic machines and expanded training opportunities for medical imaging professionals. Accepting the honorary patron award, he pledged to continue supporting the radiography profession.
“As your patron, I take this role with renewed commitment. I will keep pushing for better working conditions and stronger medical imaging services that meet global standards,” he said.
Patron of ARN Calls for Increased Public Awareness
The Patron of ARN, Sir Chief Olu Okeowo, emphasized the need for more public sensitization on breast cancer screening.
“We must inform our people to go for their mammogram. Breast cancer must reduce… all sorts of deaths must reduce,” he said.
He urged the association to work toward establishing its own centre in Lagos.
“We need our own centre, our own equipment, research centre, and a place where interns can practice. I am sure we would get land from Lagos State,” he added.
ARN President Welcomes Delegates
Earlier, ARN President Dr. Musa Y. Dambele welcomed delegates, describing the conference as a pivotal moment for the profession.
“This year’s theme could not be more timely,” he said, urging radiographers to embrace innovation, climate-smart practice, and global competitiveness.