Stakeholders in the health and wellness sector have urged the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered lifestyle monitoring systems to strengthen preventive healthcare in Nigeria, as experts call for a deliberate shift from reactive treatment to structured, technology-driven prevention.

At the centre of this advocacy is WelFAS, an AI-powered wellness, fitness and aesthetic services platform designed to help Nigerians monitor nutrition, track physical activity and access professional health guidance.

The app enables users to scan meals for calorie estimates, generate personalised meal plans, book consultations and receive structured support tailored to their health goals. The app developers, during the launch, said the objective is to make healthy living practical, measurable and sustainable.

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 weight and maintaining consistency in their wellness journeys. He noted that people often underestimate their calorie intake and lack structured guidance.

Omoruyi who is also the Medical Director of Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said the app provides tools that encourage discipline and accountability, including AI-assisted meal analysis, yearly and daily meal planning, and the option to upload laboratory results for review and discussion with certified doctors. He added that while bariatric surgery remains medically necessary for some morbidly obese patients, the broader goal is to prevent avoidable health complications through lifestyle modification.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Medical, Brigadier General Innocent Enwuchola, guest speaker Col. Ernest Onuchukwu said innovation in healthcare must be embraced to improve outcomes and access. He explained that wellness within the Nigerian Army Medical Corps is regarded as operational readiness, not merely the absence of disease.

Onuchukwu said a soldier who is not physically fit, mentally resilient and nutritionally balanced cannot perform optimally, stressing that digital tools such as AI-driven platforms can enhance early detection, promote preventive monitoring and extend healthcare support beyond hospital settings into everyday life.

The keynote speaker and Chief Executive Officer of i-Fitness, represented by Head of Corporate Sales and Partnerships at i-Fitness Center Limited, Derrick Nwafor, warned that Nigeria faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He said prevention remains weak and that when individuals fall ill, families often bear significant out-of-pocket expenses.
He argued that the country must follow global trends by investing in preventive systems powered by technology, noting that digital transformation in other sectors has shown that innovation can drive efficiency and accessibility.

Artificial Intelligence Project Advisor for the platform, Dr. Obumneme Ortuanya, said the system was built with Nigerian realities in mind. Rather than eliminating local foods, he said the AI helps users determine appropriate portion sizes based on their body mass index and health objectives.

Medical programme consultant to the platform, Dr. Victoria Bakare, added that lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are increasing, warning that excess weight significantly raises the risk of metabolic disorders and other complications.

During a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sam Anyamele, participants unanimously agreed that embracing fitness at every size is fundamental to achieving lasting health.

They urged Nigerians to adopt consistent, practical exercise routines, emphasising that incorporating daily physical activity, regardless of intensity or location, is critical to improving physical health, strengthening mental well-being and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.