Uche Cecil Izuora
Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of 2026 The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI), today presented her award-winning innovation, GenScanAI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging solution, at Vibranium Valley, Ikeja, Lagos, highlighting its potential to reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent, improve image quality and enhance healthcare delivery without requiring new MRI hardware.
The public presentation brought together medical practitioners, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students and technology stakeholders to explore the science behind GenScanAI, its potential applications and its contribution to addressing challenges in medical imaging and diagnostic services.
GenScanAI applies artificial intelligence and advanced computing techniques to MRI image reconstruction, with the potential to significantly reduce the time required to acquire MRI scans while maintaining or improving image quality.
By shortening scan times, the innovation could enable hospitals and diagnostic centres to examine more patients using existing MRI infrastructure, improve equipment utilisation, reduce waiting times and support more timely diagnosis and treatment.
Presenting her work, Akoda explained the problem that inspired the innovation, the technology behind its development and its potential applications in healthcare.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for medical practitioners and researchers to examine its possible practical uses, while students gained insights into how scientific research and technological innovation can address real-world challenges.
Speaking at the event, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, said the innovation addressed an important healthcare need, particularly in a country where population growth places increasing demands on diagnostic services.
“Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment, but the time required for MRI examinations can create delays for patients and limit the number of people healthcare facilities can serve.
Innovations such as GenScanAI demonstrate how advances in artificial intelligence and computing can be applied to address practical healthcare challenges and improve the efficiency of existing medical infrastructure,” Horsfall said.
She added that the public presentation was an important opportunity to take the winning innovation beyond the Prize adjudication process and encourage engagement with the medical and research communities.
“This presentation allows healthcare professionals, researchers and students to engage directly with Mary-Brenda’s work, understand its potential and consider how it could contribute to healthcare delivery.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation recognises scientific excellence and encourages solutions to national challenges. Creating opportunities for wider engagement with winning innovations is an important part of bringing their potential benefits to public attention,” she said.
GenScanAI’s potential to reduce MRI acquisition time by up to 90% could be particularly beneficial to hospitals and diagnostic centres managing high patient volumes. Faster examinations could improve patient throughput and reduce waiting times without the immediate need for additional MRI equipment.
Its potential to accommodate patient motion and improve image quality could also support more effective imaging, subject to appropriate clinical evaluation and validation.
Akoda emerged as the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation following a rigorous evaluation of more than 230 entries.
The 2026 edition of the Prize focused on “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development,” reflecting the growing role of digital technologies in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development.
NLNG facilitated the public presentation as part of efforts to provide a platform for the winning innovation to be shared with relevant stakeholders and to encourage dialogue on its potential applications. The engagement at Vibranium Valley reinforced the importance of connecting scientific discovery with the professionals, institutions and communities that could help translate innovation into practical benefits.