NiSIR, the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology, recently became a group member. Prof. Anas Ismail, NiSIR president, wrote to us on the background of his society, the path to IR for Nigerians, and his hopes for collaborating with CIRSE and the future of IR in Nigeria.
By Prof. Anas Ismail, NiSIR president
My journey into interventional radiology was driven by a deep curiosity about minimally invasive, image-guided procedures during my residency at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, where I obtained my fellowship in 2011. Eager to advance radiology practice in Nigeria, I pursued subspecialty training and international fellowships in IR under the mentorship of Prof. Rupert Horst Portugaller at the Division of Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, alongside additional training at the Society of Image-Guided Therapy (India) and the International Scholar Program of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR).
The Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (NiSIR) was formally established in August 2016 at the Fellows’ Meeting of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. However, the foundations of interventional radiology in Nigeria date back to the late 1980s and 1990s, when diagnostic angiography was performed at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) by pioneers such as Prof. Ogunseyinde, Prof. Adeyinka, and Prof. Awosanya.
The idea for NiSIR emerged in 2010 during a medical education retreat in Lagos, where notable radiologists, including Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, Prof. Adeyinka, Dr. Adeyomoye, Prof. Isyaku Kabiru, and Prof. Soyebi, discussed the need for a dedicated Nigerian interventional radiology society. A caretaker committee was formed, with Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo as the acting chairman.
In 2012, an attempt was made to integrate cardiologists into the society during a General Electric (GE) Healthcare summit in Abuja, but it was unsuccessful. Eventually, in 2016, NiSIR was formally inaugurated, and its first interim executive committee was elected.
Since its inception, NiSIR has grown significantly, now boasting over 300 members. The society actively promotes interventional radiology through education, research, advocacy, and professional activities. It has also been working towards establishing a formal fellowship programme accredited by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons.
Despite its progress, challenges persist, including:
In Nigeria, the pathway to becoming an interventional radiologist involves several key steps:
Prospective IR specialists must first complete medical school at an accredited institution. This typically takes six years and includes foundational courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and clinical rotations.
After medical school, graduates must complete a one-year internship (housemanship) in an accredited hospital. They then complete a compulsory one-year service with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or obtain an exemption.
Registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is then required to practice.
Physicians must enrol in a radiology residency programme accredited by any of the following colleges:
The residency takes about 5-6 years and includes general diagnostic radiology training.
Basic exposure to angiography and fluoroscopy is provided, but structured IR training is still limited.
Option 1: Local training via NiSIR and institutions with IR facilities
The Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (NiSIR) is working to formalize IR training in Nigeria.
Some teaching hospitals in Nigeria have IR units where trained radiologists can gain hands-on experience.
Institutions like Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Euracare Hospital have some level of IR services. Short-term training courses, mentorships, and observerships are available at these hospitals.
Recently, through initiatives like IRDOCNIGERIA, focused training has commenced at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, which works in collaboration with other public teaching hospitals. The project focuses on complex procedures such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic Shunt (TIPS). Despite the obstacles, collaborations with international experts and organizations like RAD-AID Nigeria and the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (NiSIR) are working to expand IR training and practice.
Option 2: International fellowships
Due to the limited number of structured IR training programmes locally, many Nigerian radiologists pursue fellowships abroad in:
After completing training, an IR specialist may obtain:
They can then practice IR in Nigeria, contributing to minimally invasive procedures like biliary drainage, nephrostomy, IVC filter placement, catheter-directed thrombolysis, angioplasty, embolization, tumour ablation, and vascular access interventions.
Despite the steps forward we’ve taken, limited local IR programmes still necessitate foreign training for many, and there is a shortage of IR equipment in many hospitals. NiSIR and medical institutions are working toward developing a formalized IR fellowship in Nigeria.
In summary, becoming an interventional radiologist in Nigeria requires dedication, international exposure, and advocacy for local training. With ongoing efforts by NiSIR and medical colleges, IR is steadily growing in Nigeria, offering exciting opportunities for future specialists.
Public awareness of interventional radiology in Nigeria remains low, with most patients learning about IR treatments only through specialist referrals. NiSIR and private initiatives like IRDOCNIGERIA have made efforts to educate the public through hospital-based counselling, symposiums, and social media outreach. Expanding structured patient education and media engagement could improve awareness and access to IR services.
Challenges such as limited access to IR services, high costs of consumables, and a shortage of specialized training centres hinder widespread knowledge. Additionally, medical tourism diverts patients abroad for procedures that are increasingly available in Nigeria.
NiSIR became a CIRSE group member this year to enhance international collaboration, gain access to advanced educational resources, and promote the development of interventional radiology in Nigeria. This membership aligns with NiSIR’s mission of advocating for the recognition, training, and practice of IR in Nigeria and the West African region.
NiSIR and its members are actively engaged in various initiatives, including:
In the future, NiSIR hopes to continue its work on expanding access to interventional radiology services, enhancing training opportunities, and advocating for stronger government support. Key aspirations include:
By achieving these goals, NiSIR hopes to position Nigeria as a regional hub for interventional radiology in West Africa, improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments.
