A growing coalition of healthcare professionals, technology experts and wellness advocates is calling for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered lifestyle monitoring systems into Nigeria’s healthcare framework, signalling a strategic shift from reactive treatment to structured, technology-driven prevention.
The renewed push comes amid rising cases of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to strain families and the nation’s health infrastructure. Stakeholders argue that preventive healthcare—supported by digital innovation—offers a more sustainable and cost-effective path forward.
WelFAS: A Digital Tool for Everyday Wellness
At the forefront of this movement is WelFAS, an AI-powered wellness, fitness and aesthetic services platform developed to help Nigerians monitor nutrition, track physical activity and access professional health guidance.
The application enables users to scan meals for calorie estimates, generate personalised meal plans, schedule consultations and receive structured support tailored to their individual health goals. According to its developers, the platform was created to make healthy living practical, measurable and sustainable in a society where busy schedules and limited guidance often hinder consistency.
Founder of the platform and Cynosure WelFAS Limited, Dr. Ogbe Omoruyi, explained that the innovation was inspired by the difficulty many Nigerians face in managing their weight and maintaining discipline in their wellness journeys. He noted that calorie intake is frequently underestimated, while structured nutritional guidance remains limited.
Omoruyi, who also serves as Medical Director of Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said the app incorporates AI-assisted meal analysis, daily and annual meal planning features, and options for users to upload laboratory results for professional review and consultation with certified doctors.
While acknowledging that bariatric surgery remains medically necessary for some morbidly obese patients, he stressed that the broader objective is to prevent avoidable complications through lifestyle modification and early intervention.
Prevention as Operational Readiness
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Medical, Brigadier General Innocent Enwuchola, guest speaker Col. Ernest Onuchukwu underscored the importance of innovation in improving healthcare outcomes and access.
He explained that within the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, wellness is viewed as operational readiness rather than merely the absence of disease. A soldier who lacks physical fitness, mental resilience or nutritional balance, he said, cannot perform optimally.
Digital health tools such as AI-driven platforms, he added, can strengthen early detection, enhance preventive monitoring and extend healthcare beyond hospital walls into everyday routines.
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| Brand Ambassador of WelFAS, Kate Henshaw; Founder, Farm Fresh NGR, Mrs Oluwatosin Ariyo; Founder of WelFAS, Dr. Ogbe Omoruyi; Fitness Trainer, Ify Anadu; Wellness expert, Dr. Kafayat Shafau and Dr. Sam Anyamele during the official launch of WelFAS app held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. |
The keynote speaker, Chief Executive Officer of i-Fitness, represented by the company’s Head of Corporate Sales and Partnerships, Derrick Nwafor, warned that Nigeria faces a mounting burden of non-communicable diseases.
He observed that preventive systems remain weak, leaving families to shoulder significant out-of-pocket medical expenses when illness strikes. According to him, Nigeria must align with global trends by investing in preventive health infrastructure powered by technology, noting that digital transformation in other sectors has already demonstrated how innovation can improve efficiency and accessibility.
Artificial Intelligence Project Advisor for the platform, Dr. Obumneme Ortuanya, emphasised that the system was designed with Nigerian dietary realities in mind. Rather than eliminating local cuisine, the AI guides users on portion control based on body mass index and individual health objectives.
Medical programme consultant Dr. Victoria Bakare added that lifestyle-related conditions are increasing at an alarming rate. Excess weight, she cautioned, significantly elevates the risk of metabolic disorders and other complications, making structured prevention more urgent than ever.
Fitness at Every Size
During a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sam Anyamele, participants unanimously agreed that embracing fitness at every size is essential for sustainable health outcomes.
They encouraged Nigerians to adopt consistent and practical exercise routines, stressing that daily physical activity—regardless of intensity or location—plays a crucial role in improving physical health, strengthening mental well-being and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.
As Nigeria grapples with rising healthcare costs and an expanding NCD burden, stakeholders believe that AI-powered platforms like WelFAS could mark a turning point—placing prevention, accountability and data-driven decision-making at the centre of the country’s wellness strategy.