Nigeria facing severe shortage of radiographers: Erondu warns at ARN Conference 

By Tolulope Oke

Nigeria is facing a severe shortage of radiographers, and experts say the gap is now threatening healthcare delivery nationwide.

This warning came on Tuesday at the 57th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Felix Erondu said the country has only 5,000 registered radiographers, far below the 50,000 minimum recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a country the size of Nigeria.

He asked why Nigeria had failed to take critical steps to close the gap.

According to him, healthcare professionals must now commit themselves to urgent reforms.

“We need to commit ourselves collectively to the following,” he said, calling for radiographers to become key actors in the climate health agenda.

He proposed that one major outcome of the conference should be the creation of a “Radiography for Climate Resilience” chapter.

Prof. Erondu also urged training institutions to “put their hands together and implement the Doctor of Radiography curriculum.”

He called on the Federal Ministry of Health to introduce special incentives to encourage radiographers to work in rural communities, “because that’s where many of our people live.”

Erondu said hospitals must begin to adopt sustainable energy solutions, including smart technologies and solar power, to reduce the heavy cost of running imaging equipment.

He stressed the need for professional bodies to publish and monitor annual workforce and migration reports.

“This will help us develop retention strategies for the radiography alternatives,” he said.

The keynote speaker further challenged development partners, manufacturers, and tech entrepreneurs to invest in renewable energy and smart diagnostic tools.

“If we can get to a point I do not need to run a 24-hour power supply to power an MRI, I do not need a 300kVA generator to power a 64-slice CT scanner… and I can have a mobile solution that transmits images via teleradiology platforms,” he said.

He added that AI-driven image interpretation and disease algorithms “will change the dynamics for us radiographers.”

He called on the academia to design AI models suited to Nigeria’s demographics, disease patterns, and local realities.

“We need massive investment in mobile and solar-powered off-grid digital units,” he said.

The conference theme was “Radiography and Climate Change: Mitigating the Impact on Health and Healthcare Systems.”

Sanwo-Olu Praises Radiographers: “You Are Silent Guardians of Life”

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbo Salau­de­en, received an honorary patron award at the event.

In his remarks, he praised radiographers for their unseen but life-saving role.

“Radiographers are silent guardians of life. Through your lens, diseases are detected, diagnosis is confirmed and lives are saved,” he said.

“You eliminate what the human eyes cannot see and enable physicians to make decisions that determine hope.”

He said the Lagos government had invested heavily in modern diagnostic equipment and expanded training opportunities.

“As your patron, I accept this service with renewed dedication. I commit, as your governor, to defending the radiography profession, championing better working conditions, and supporting initiatives that will elevate medical imaging services to world-class standards,” he added.

Okeowo Calls for Lagos Radiography Centre

The Patron of ARN, Sir Chief Olu Okeowo, called for more public sensitisation 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. We need our equipment, research centre, and a place where interns can practice. I am sure we would get land from Lagos State,” he added.

Oba of Lagos Sends Royal Support

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, represented by the White Cap Chiefs, expressed his support for the association.

“Kabiyesi doesn’t take lightly the issue of medicals… anytime you call him, he is ready to support you,” the chiefs said.

President of ARN Welcomes Delegates

Earlier, ARN President Dr. Musa Y. Dambele welcomed delegates and described the conference as a crucial 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.