UK-Backed Koyo App Targets Nigeria’s Healthcare Gaps

Nigeria’s digital health space is getting a major boost with the launch of Koyo Health Tech, a UK-backed startup introducing its flagship mobile platform, the Koyo Navigate App. The platform promises to make verified medical advice and access to qualified doctors available at users’ fingertips.

Unveiled in Abuja, the app aims to close Nigeria’s widening healthcare access gap by connecting users to doctors in real time through text conversations. It also integrates photos and videos to help doctors assess symptoms remotely while ensuring patients receive credible guidance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Tom Clacknell, Founder and CEO of Koyo Health Tech, described the platform as “a product of years of Nigerian and global healthcare experience built to solve real challenges.”

He explained that while Koyo enables immediate communication between patients and doctors, it is not meant to replace physical examinations. “We can’t examine patients physically, but photos and videos help extract key clinical details to guide the next steps in care,” he said.

AI-Powered Health for the Nigerian Context

Dr Clacknell revealed that the app’s long-term goal is to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to help overworked Nigerian doctors manage their workload more efficiently. “AI should not replace doctors but extend their reach. Our mission is to harness this to strengthen healthcare in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains among the lowest in the world — around 200,000 doctors below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard. The Koyo system, he said, could help multiply doctors’ impact by automating basic tasks like history-taking and pharmacy queries, freeing up more time for human-centred care.

According to Dr Clacknell, the app’s design was inspired by listening to Nigerian women and families share their everyday struggles with finding trustworthy healthcare. “Koyo was built for Nigeria, not imported. It’s a local solution backed by global expertise,” he added.

Stakeholders Applaud Koyo’s Launch

Representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Secretariat, Dr Abubakar Ahmadu commended the initiative, calling it “a timely step in bringing technology closer to healthcare delivery.” He said the government is ready to collaborate with Koyo to improve access across the FCT and will support its registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT Chapter, Dr Ayogu Malachy Emeka, hailed the app as a crucial innovation to address the nation’s ongoing medical brain drain. “Many doctors have left the country, creating a huge vacuum. Anything that helps bridge this gap is good for our nation,” he said.