Godswill Njoku is a 24-year-old Nigerian solving the global healthcare problems by merging technology, Artificial intelligence and medicine. He is the founder of Hospiyou inc, a health technology company
Godswill Njoku is a 24-year-old Nigerian solving the global healthcare problems by merging technology, Artificial intelligence and medicine. He is the founder of Hospiyou inc, a health technology company that’s focused on building medical products and devices that would be making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to everyone from anywhere. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he spoke about the future of telemedicine and the Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Excerpts:
Can you tell us about your background and experience in telemedicine and healthcare?
I studied general medicine in Bulgaria, Europe and have practiced in several European hospitals. I’ve interned primarily in Neurosurgery and cardiology departments.
What inspired you to venture into telemedicine?
My inspiration to venturing into telemedicine came after the death of my best friend who would have still been alive if Hospiyou had already existed and he didn’t even have to leave his house to go wait at the hospital; he wasn’t attended to in a timely manner leading to him dying at the hospital. With Hospiyou he would have been able to receive care in less than 1 minute.
How would you describe the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare system?
Nigeria’s healthcare system is underfunded and faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and limited access to quality care, especially in rural areas. Many Nigerians rely on private healthcare, and medical tourism is common due to a lack of trust in local facilities. I had to even go homeless at some point to stop paying rent to put the money into the building of Hospiyou because even up until now I haven’t raised a penny from anyone or gotten any external financial support from even the government. I self-funded Hospiyou to this point.
How has telemedicine evolved in Nigeria over the last few years?
Over the last few years, telemedicine has grown rapidly, driven by increased smartphone penetration, internet access, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Startups, hospitals, and NGOs have launched digital health platforms, though adoption remains slow due to infrastructural challenges and regulatory gaps.
What are the key challenges facing telemedicine adoption in Nigeria?
Limited internet and electricity access in rural areas, low digital literacy among patients and healthcare providers, regulatory uncertainty, trust issues with remote consultations, data security and privacy concerns.
In what ways do you think telemedicine is addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility, especially in rural areas?
Telemedicine is bridging gaps by providing remote consultations, reducing travel costs, and enabling specialist access in underserved areas. Mobile health (mHealth) apps and online platforms are also helping patients manage chronic conditions remotely.
How do you see mobile technology and internet penetration influencing telemedicine in urban and rural areas in Nigeria?
Telemedicine adoption is growing due to better internet coverage and smartphone usage. In rural areas, however, poor network coverage and affordability issues hinder adoption, although initiatives like USSD-based services and offline consultations are emerging.
How does Nigeria’s regulatory framework compared to other countries in terms of telehealth policies?
Nigeria’s Regulatory Framework vs. Other Countries
Nigeria’s telehealth policies are still evolving, lagging behind countries like the US, UK, and India, where telemedicine regulations are well-established. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has started setting guidelines, but enforcement and clarity remain weak.
How does Nigeria’s regulatory framework compare to other countries in terms of telehealth policies?
Government Initiatives Supporting Telemedicine
The government has launched programs like the National Health ICT Strategic Framework and the eHealth policy to promote digital health. However, execution has been slow, and most progress in telemedicine is driven by the private sector and NGOs. Hospiyou hasn’t benefited from any government initiatives on telemedicine.
Are there any specific government initiatives or policies supporting telemedicine in Nigeria?
Legal and ethical concerns, key concerns include: Patient data privacy under weak cybersecurity laws, licensing and accreditation of telemedicine providers, legal liability in cases of medical malpractice, cross-border telemedicine regulation, among others.
How reliable is Nigeria’s digital infrastructure to support telemedicine services?
While urban areas have stable 4G networks, rural areas suffer from poor internet, inconsistent power supply, and limited broadband penetration, affecting real-time telemedicine services.
What role does Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics play in telemedicine within Nigeria?
Role of AI and Data Analytics in Nigerian Telemedicine?
AI is being used for diagnostics, predictive analytics, and personalized treatment plans. Chatbots and AI-powered health assistants are also emerging, helping to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery. Hospiyou is building an extremely advanced ai DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL Testing system
How do you see the role of electronic medical records (EMRs) in improving telehealth adoption?
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) streamline patient history access, improve care coordination, and enable better remote diagnosis. However, EMR adoption is low due to cost and lack of interoperability between different health systems.
What technological innovations do you believe could further enhance telemedicine services in Nigeria? Technological Innovations Enhancing Telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, IoT-enabled remote monitoring devices, Blockchain for secure health records, Offline and low-bandwidth telemedicine solutions
What are the major sources of funding for telemedicine startups in Nigeria?
Major Funding Sources for Telemedicine Startups; Even though Hospiyou was personally funded by Godswill Njoku (Dr. Will) and part of the Hospiyou team up until now after efforts to raise funds from these organizations failed, here are some options;
Venture capital and private equity,Government grants and international health funds Corporate partnerships and incubator programmes, crowdfunding and angel investors.
How do you think private sector involvement can boost the telemedicine ecosystem?
Private firms can help in driving innovation, funding, and infrastructure development faster. Telcos, banks, and tech startups should partner to expand telehealth solutions like Hospiyou and others that exist.
How has telemedicine changed the doctor-patient relationship in Nigeria?
Telemedicine has increased access but also introduced new challenges. While it enhances convenience, some doctors and patients find it impersonal. Trust issues and digital literacy barriers also affect adoption. Hence Hospiyou is working hard to get people familiarized with telemedicine.
What do you see as the future of telemedicine in Nigeria in the next 5–10 years?
Greater AI integration and automation,Improved regulation and standardization expansion of 5G, boosting service quality, wider insurance coverage for telehealth services, more government and private-sector collaborations.
What policy changes or government interventions do you think could improve telemedicine adoption?
Needed Policy Changes for Better Adoption
Clear telemedicine regulatory framework
Incentives for healthcare providers to adopt telemedicine Better digital infrastructure in rural areas
Stronger data protection laws for patient confidentiality
How can Nigeria leverage partnerships with global healthcare and tech firms to enhance telemedicine?
Investment in health tech infrastructures like Hospiyou and the others, training healthcare workers in telemedicine technology transfer and AI integration and expanding access to digital health solutions.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to enter the telemedicine space in Nigeria?
Advice for Telemedicine entrepreneurs: Focus on solving accessibility issues in underserved areas; ensure compliance with evolving regulations, partner with telcos and fintech for scalability, build trust through data security and quality service delivery, and explore hybrid models (physical + digital consultations).
