MRI
By Lilian U. Okoro
Lagos, Oct. 13, 2026 (NAN) Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, has developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise that reduces Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan time by as much as 90 per cent.
Akoda, an AI Research Scientist, Founder of Genscan AI and former Microsoft Engineer, disclosed this on the public presentation of the 2026 prize winner organised by Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) on Tuesday in Lagos.
She mentioned the expertise, referred to as GenMRI, was developed to deal with delays in medical analysis attributable to restricted MRI scanners, excessive tools prices and prolonged scanning procedures in healthcare amenities.
Akoda defined that the concept was birthed following the expertise of an aged relative who suffered a stroke and required an pressing scan however encountered lengthy procedures and subsequently died.
“Sadly, his story isn’t unique. Worldwide, someone suffers a stroke every two seconds, and it kills over 6.5 million people annually, while cancer kills over 10 million,” she mentioned.
According to her, standard MRI scans can take between quarter-hour and one and a half hours, relying on the process, whereas high-quality scanners price between 1.5 million {dollars} and three.5 million {dollars}.
She mentioned GenMRI used AI to reconstruct diagnostic-quality pictures from fewer scan knowledge, decreasing a 20-minute process to about two minutes and an hour-long scan to roughly six minutes.
Akoda mentioned the expertise had been retrospectively validated utilizing greater than 8,800 MRI pictures, with findings printed in peer-reviewed papers introduced at main conferences.
She added {that a} blinded evaluation by a marketing consultant radiologist at Buckinghamshire NHS Hospital within the United Kingdom discovered the GenMRI pictures diagnostically equal to standard MRI pictures in all circumstances assessed.
“The most significant challenge was ensuring that we weren’t just building an AI system that could create any MRI image, but that it was anchored in the patient’s data,” she mentioned.
Akoda mentioned Genscan AI was working with medical companions within the UK, the United States, Kenya and Nigeria to undertake broader medical validation, safe regulatory approval and conduct pilot deployments, concentrating on wider deployment by the second half of 2027.
She mentioned the corporate additionally wanted further medical companions and well being innovation funders to assist the expertise’s adoption in hospitals.
Earlier, Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development and Senior Management Executive at NLNG, in her welcome speech, reiterated NLNG’s dedication to inspiring native options to healthcare methods and celebrating scientific excellence.
According to her, the concept goals to see how efficient innovation and correct analysis can enhance well being outcomes.
The occasion featured goodwill messages the place related organisations applauded the innovation and appreciated NLNG for the initiative.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
