GenScan AI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging technology developed by Nigerian researcher Mary-Brenda Akoda, is moving closer to potential clinical use as healthcare and technology stakeholders examine how the innovation could be deployed to improve MRI services.
The technology was presented to stakeholders in Abuja by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) following its selection as the winning entry for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI).
GenScan AI uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and has the potential to reduce scan acquisition times by up to 90 per cent without requiring new MRI hardware, according to the NPSI Advisory Board.
The technology’s C-MORE algorithm uses a one-step framework to reconstruct MRI images from fewer data points, with the aim of producing diagnostic-quality images while significantly reducing the time required for a scan.
If validated for routine clinical use, shorter scan times could allow existing MRI machines to handle more patients, potentially reducing waiting times and improving access to diagnostic imaging, particularly in healthcare systems where scanner capacity is limited.
However, the technology remains at the stage of moving towards clinical application. Stakeholder engagement is expected to help determine the additional development, validation and clinical requirements needed before wider deployment.
Professor Barth Nnaji, chairman of the NPSI Advisory Board, said engagement with clinicians and other stakeholders would be important in determining how the technology could be used safely and effectively.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the company’s interest extended beyond recognising scientific achievement to seeing research translated into practical benefits.
“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 said GenScan AI offered the prospect of faster medical imaging and better utilisation of existing equipment, adding that the stakeholder presentation provided an opportunity to discuss what would be required to move the technology towards practical application.
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The development comes as MRI capacity remains an important consideration in access to diagnostic healthcare. MRI examinations can be lengthy, while demand for imaging services can place pressure on available scanners.
GenScan AI’s own published information says its technology has been tested on more than 8,800 MRI scans and is undergoing the process required for certification. The company says its GenMRI software is designed to work with existing scanners without requiring hardware upgrades.
The technology has also attracted recognition outside Nigeria. Founderland awarded Akoda a €10,000 equity-free grant earlier this year, citing the technology’s technical credibility, commercial potential and public benefit. The organisation said GenScan AI was moving towards clinical pilots.
Akoda’s selection for the NPSI followed a record 237 entries submitted under the 2026 theme, “Innovations in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and Digital Technologies for Development”. Her entry was selected following an independent evaluation led by a panel chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson and subsequent endorsement by the prize’s Advisory Board.
She is the first woman and the first millennial to win the prize as an individual recipient and is due to receive the US$100,000 award at the NPSI Grand Award Night on 9 October.
For GenScan AI, the focus now shifts from recognition to validation and implementation. Further clinical assessment will be needed to establish how the technology performs across different patients, MRI protocols and clinical settings before it can become part of routine medical practice.
The stakeholder discussions therefore represent an important step in determining whether an award-winning Nigerian AI innovation can progress from research and development into a clinically validated tool capable of helping healthcare providers make better use of existing MRI capacity.
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.