Health
NLNG unveils AI tool to cut MRI scan time
By Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
Nigeria LNG Limited has presented GenScan AI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging innovation with the potential to reduce magnetic resonance imaging scan times by up to 90 per cent while maintaining or improving image quality.
Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, NLNG, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku disclosed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday on the presentation of the innovation to stakeholders in Abuja.
Developed by Mary-Brenda Akoda, GenScan AI emerged as the winning entry of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, sponsored by NLNG.
According to the statement, “the innovation uses the C-MORE algorithm to reconstruct MRI images through a one-step framework, potentially reducing scan acquisition times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware.”
The technology could enable healthcare providers to attend to more patients, reduce waiting times and improve the utilisation of existing MRI equipment, particularly as access to advanced diagnostic services remains a challenge in parts of Nigeria.
Speaking at the presentation, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the company was interested in ensuring that scientific research translated into practical improvements in people’s lives.
“Our interest goes beyond recognising an outstanding idea. We want to see scientific research make a practical difference in people’s lives,” Horsfall said.
She added, “GenScan AI offers the prospect of faster medical imaging and better use of existing equipment. This presentation creates an opportunity to discuss what is needed to move that promise towards practical application.”
Horsfall stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis to effective treatment, noting that diagnostic imaging provides evidence that enables medical teams to identify health conditions and make informed decisions about patient care.
Also speaking, Professor Barth Nnaji, a member of the Prize’s Advisory Board, said the winning entry stood out because of the strength of its science and its potential to address a practical healthcare need.
Nnaji said engagement with clinicians and other stakeholders would be important in determining how the technology could be used safely and effectively.
He said the stakeholder presentation provided an opportunity to examine the technology’s potential as well as the requirements for further development and eventual application.
Akoda emerged as the 2026 winner from a record 237 entries submitted under the theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development.”
Her selection followed an independent evaluation by the Panel of Judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and subsequent endorsement by the Advisory Board.
She is the first woman and first millennial to win the Prize as an individual recipient and is scheduled to receive the US$100,000 award at the Grand Award Night on October 9, 2026.
The development comes amid efforts to improve access to timely and accurate diagnostic services in Nigeria, where advanced medical equipment and specialised healthcare services remain unevenly distributed.
MRI is widely used in diagnosing conditions affecting the brain, spine, joints and internal organs, but examinations can be lengthy and the high cost of acquiring and maintaining MRI equipment can constrain access.
An innovation capable of reducing scan times without requiring new hardware could therefore help healthcare facilities maximise the use of scanners already available to them, potentially increasing the number of patients that can be examined.
However, moving GenScan AI from research into routine clinical use would require further testing and validation, as well as engagement with clinicians and other relevant stakeholders to establish its safety, reliability and suitability for different diagnostic applications.
The presentation in Abuja was therefore aimed at connecting the research with healthcare professionals and institutions that could help assess its potential for practical deployment.
The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, sponsored by NLNG, recognises outstanding scientific research and innovations capable of addressing practical development challenges in Nigeria.
The 2026 edition focused on artificial intelligence, information and communication technology and digital technologies, reflecting the growing application of emerging technologies to challenges across sectors, including healthcare.
The public presentation of GenScan AI is expected to further discussions on how the innovation can be developed, validated and potentially deployed to improve the efficiency of medical imaging services in Nigeria.
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