The State of Neurovascular Surgery in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future

This narrative review elaborates on the development of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, highlighting the growth over the years. It also elucidates the severe shortage of specialists, the financial burden to patients who may require neurovascular services, and the limited diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. It highlights the critical need for specialized training programs, workforce expansion, infrastructural improvements, sustainable financing, and financial reforms. The authors reviewed the literature narratively and examined, in broad strokes, the historical background of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, the current practices, outcomes, and training and gave recommendations. Search keywords used include neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, history of neurosurgery in Nigeria, endovascular facilities in Nigeria, and advances in neuroimaging in Nigeria in various combinations using Boolean operators. Searches were conducted in a nonsystematic manner through Public/Publisher MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and African Journal Online. The field of neurovascular surgery experienced significant growth, driven by the contributions of Dr E. L. Odeku in the 1960s and 1970s. However, this progress was hindered by economic and political instability between the 1980s and 2001s. Since the resurgence era began in 2002, substantial advancements have been made. However, the challenges being faced are numerous, and development is quite slow. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to improving neurovascular care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries, and addressing these deficiencies is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and advancing neurovascular care. This study highlights the state of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, elucidates the challenges of this practice, and offers recommendations for improvement.

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Publication Details

Journal
Neurosurgery Open
Published
2026-04-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000211
Primary Topic
Global Health and Surgery
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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The State of Neurovascular Surgery in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future

Usman Abubakar, Abdullahi Onimisi Jimoh, Nourou Dine Adeniran Bankolé, Chibueze Agwu et al.
Neurosurgery Open
Global Health and Surgery
article

The State of Neurovascular Surgery in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future

Usman Abubakar, Abdullahi Onimisi Jimoh, Nourou Dine Adeniran Bankolé, Chibueze Agwu, Abass O. Ajayi, Christian O Igibah, Oluwatowo Daniel Fabiyi, Michael Kenechukwu Nzeako, Yusuf Ayodeji Salman, Maryam Yetunde Edun-Ajayi, Abdulhameed Oluseyi Qazeem, Isaac Gundu, Tunde Mutalib Afolayan, Chukwugemezu Ephrem Ihechere, Izuchukwu Okechukwu Nwachukwu, Kassim Jabir Muhammad, Kamil Adeniran Ajagbe, Obianuju Iheomamere Muoghallu, Opemipo Oluwatobi Aiku, Abubakar Ismail Muhammad
article en

Abstract

This narrative review elaborates on the development of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, highlighting the growth over the years. It also elucidates the severe shortage of specialists, the financial burden to patients who may require neurovascular services, and the limited diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. It highlights the critical need for specialized training programs, workforce expansion, infrastructural improvements, sustainable financing, and financial reforms. The authors reviewed the literature narratively and examined, in broad strokes, the historical background of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, the current practices, outcomes, and training and gave recommendations. Search keywords used include neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, history of neurosurgery in Nigeria, endovascular facilities in Nigeria, and advances in neuroimaging in Nigeria in various combinations using Boolean operators. Searches were conducted in a nonsystematic manner through Public/Publisher MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and African Journal Online. The field of neurovascular surgery experienced significant growth, driven by the contributions of Dr E. L. Odeku in the 1960s and 1970s. However, this progress was hindered by economic and political instability between the 1980s and 2001s. Since the resurgence era began in 2002, substantial advancements have been made. However, the challenges being faced are numerous, and development is quite slow. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to improving neurovascular care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries, and addressing these deficiencies is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and advancing neurovascular care. This study highlights the state of neurovascular surgery in Nigeria, elucidates the challenges of this practice, and offers recommendations for improvement.

Neurosurgery OpenVol. 7(2)
Université de Tours (FR), University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital (US), University of Chester (GB), Inserm (FR), Queen Mary University of London (GB), University of Ibadan (NG), Federal University Birnin Kebbi (NG), Afe Babalola University (NG), University of Chicago (US), Imaging, Brain, and Neuropsychiatry (FR), National Hospital Abuja (NG), Clinical Investigation Center Plurithematic Tours (FR), CHU Dijon Bourgogne (FR), Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (NG), University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (NG), Lagos State Health Service Commission (NG), Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (NG), Ambrose Alli University (NG), University of Abuja (NG), Bayero University Kano (NG)
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Global Health and Surgery
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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