A Nigerian consultant urological, laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, has performed Africa’s first UroLift procedure in Lagos, marking a new milestone in the treatment of prostate enlargement and a significant stride for local medical innovation.
The landmark operation, carried out at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Victoria Island, Lagos State, introduces a modern, minimally invasive method for treating benign prostate enlargement without compromising a patient’s sexual function.
Ekwueme, while speaking after a successful procedure, described the development as a remarkable achievement for Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare system, saying that the UroLift procedure provides a safer alternative to traditional surgeries that often cause distressing side effects.
He explained that the treatment works by gently lifting and securing the enlarged prostate tissue to open the urinary channel, eliminating the need for cutting or removing tissue, adding that it allows men to maintain normal sexual and reproductive functions after the operation — an outcome that has long been a concern for younger patients.
However, the surgeon noted that not all patients are eligible for the procedure, as suitability depends on prostate size.
According to him, men with a prostate volume of 80 millilitres or less may qualify after a thorough medical evaluation to confirm that cancer or other complications are not present.
The consultant, while speaking on the health risks of untreated prostate enlargement, said that the condition, though usually non-cancerous, could seriously affect a man’s ability to urinate and lead to long-term complications.
He said that the affected individuals might struggle with frequent urination, incontinence, or total blockage that requires catheterisation, warning that if the condition persists without intervention, it could cause permanent bladder damage or kidney failure.
Ekwueme said that the UroLift could be performed under local or spinal anesthesia, allowing patients to return home within hours or by the next day.
Professor Kingsley Ekwueme is a Nigerian-born consultant urologist and robotic surgeon, renowned for pioneering robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery in West Africa.
A UK-trained surgeon, he has established specialized centers for robotic and laparoscopic surgery in Nigeria and is dedicated to transforming cancer treatment in the region through advanced, minimally invasive techniques. His work includes pioneering the region’s first robotic prostate surgery and clinic, conducting a zero-blood-loss procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and developing innovative research in urological oncology.
