Nigeria LNG Limited has presented GenScan AI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging innovation that could reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent while maintaining or improving image quality.
NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, disclosed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday following 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 technology 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 innovation could enable healthcare providers to examine more patients, reduce waiting times and improve the utilisation of existing MRI scanners, particularly in parts of Nigeria where access to advanced diagnostic services remains limited.
Speaking at the presentation, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the company was focused on ensuring that scientific research translated into practical benefits for society.
“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 that GenScan AI could improve the efficiency of medical imaging while making better use of existing equipment.
“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,” she said.
Horsfall also stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis to effective treatment, noting that diagnostic imaging provides critical evidence that helps medical teams identify health conditions and make informed decisions about patient care.
Professor Barth Nnaji, a member of the Prize’s Advisory Board, said GenScan AI stood out because of the strength of its underlying science and its potential to address a practical healthcare challenge.
He said further engagement with clinicians and other relevant stakeholders would be necessary to determine how the technology could be safely and effectively applied in clinical settings.
Nnaji added that the stakeholder presentation provided an opportunity to assess the innovation’s potential and identify the requirements for its further development and eventual deployment.
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 $100,000 award at the Grand Award Night on October 9, 2026.
Potential impact on medical imaging
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 to diagnose conditions affecting the brain, spine, joints and internal organs. However, scans can be time-consuming, while the cost of acquiring and maintaining MRI equipment can limit access to the technology.
An innovation capable of significantly reducing scan times without requiring new hardware could allow healthcare facilities to make more efficient use of existing scanners and potentially increase the number of patients they can examine.
However, moving GenScan AI from research into routine clinical use would require further testing and validation. Clinicians and other relevant stakeholders would also need to assess its safety, reliability and suitability across different diagnostic applications.
The Abuja presentation 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 scientific research and innovations with the potential to address 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 presentation of GenScan AI is expected to support further discussions on how the innovation can be developed, validated and potentially deployed to improve the efficiency of medical imaging services in Nigeria.
