In a field where science meets human emotion, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, Executive Director of Nordica Fertility Centre, has journeyed through 22 transformative years. In this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE, he shares experience founding Nordica, the lessons learned, challenges, and the future of fertility treatment in Nigeria.
IT’S been 22 years of Nordica Fertility Centre; how does it feel reaching this milestone?
Honestly, it feels surreal. It just seems like yesterday when we started at VGC, then opened a clinic in Yaba. Later, we moved VGC to Ikoyi and Yaba to Surulere. It has been a topsy-turvy journey, but we owe everything to God and to the amazing people who have supported us over the years. There have been some ups and downs. There’ll be some days when especially at the beginning where you start asking yourself, are you really doing the right thing? Today, we now have so many IVF clinics, but we thank God despite the number that we are still regarded as a top brand.
Can you share highlights of Nordica’s expansion?
Certainly. We began in 2003, and by 2009, we had opened a clinic in Asaba. In 2012, we expanded to Abuja. One major milestone was introducing High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in 2021, and by 2024, we also brought HIFU to our Abuja centre. We currently perform over 1,000 IVF cycles and 500 endoscopic procedures annually. Our goal remains delivering world-class fertility services and reversing medical tourism in Nigeria.
That’s impressive. So how many babies has Nordica helped bring into the world?
It’s difficult to give an exact number because we don’t take deliveries, and not everyone returns to report their success. However, we conservatively estimate that we’ve helped bring over 5,000 babies into the world.
What would you say has changed in reproductive health over these two decades?
A lot has changed. Globally, the advent of genetics has revolutionised reproductive science. We can now test embryos for genetic conditions, determine gender, and even analyse embryo culture media for genetic makeup. Egg freezing has also advanced significantly, especially with vitrification technology. We now know that in Nordica, if we freeze about 10 eggs, we know that at least nine of them will be able to recover. So those are the things that have changed, and they made life very good. But locally, it might not be all good news, because there’s been fragmentation of clinic locally; however, the growth hasn’t been without challenges. Many under-qualified practitioners have flooded the market. Patients often choose clinics based on cost alone, without checking the standards. That trend needs to change.
Looking to the future, what developments do you anticipate in fertility treatment?
I believe AI will enhance success rates by helping us identify the most viable sperm, eggs, and embryos. We may see artificial ovaries and lab-grown eggs and sperm, potentially reducing reliance on donors. Endometrial research will likely improve embryo transfer outcomes. We are witnessing groundbreaking changes, and the future is promising.
How does Nordica plan to stay ahead in the next decade?
By remaining at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We are currently developing something new and impactful, though I can’t reveal details yet. What I can say is that we’ll continue adopting global best practices to improve access and success for our clients.
Can you share a standout testimonial that has stayed with you?
Every baby born through our assistance is a testimony. But cases where couples waited 16 or 20 years or had multiple failed cycles before success stand out. One client told us, “What America couldn’t do, Nordica did in Lagos.” Those stories inspire us.
What major challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Okay, I think the first one actually started when we wanted to establish the clinic. And it’s still ongoing. And it’s this problem with the Customs, with importation of things. You know, I’m sure I’m not the only one. Everybody faces them. But in the medical field, and then to my greatest delight, coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced, I think it was sometime last year, that they were going to consider doing an executive order from President that medical things should have zero import duty. Well, of course, till today, that has not been implemented, because I’m just bringing some things in now. And I’m paying through my nose to the Customs. So this is one of the things you buy, you don’t forget that. In Nigeria, you make naira. When you’re going to buy your equipment, you’re buying in dollars, euros or pounds. The first thing is you do that. You face that hurdle. Now you are bringing it in again. Customs is charging you based on pounds or dollar. So it’s as if you’re bringing a car, which is a luxury item.
But this is what we’re faced with within the medical field. So I pray and hope that the federal government can implement what the federal executive order that President Tinubu in his wisdom signed. So that’s one.
Two, infrastructure. Of course, that’s also not peculiar only to me. When people go to clinics that don’t even have light, I don’t know what you’re going to do there. Because you can’t play with power in this kind of business. You cannot say the price of electricity went up, so we’re spending a lot on diesel. In each of our clinics, you have three generators, two big ones, one small one. We have a transformer for each of our clinics – because we don’t want power to start fluctuating. Now we are running to solar. So the cost of providing power is a big thing in Nigeria. Now the JAPA thing also happened. Manpower has become an issue. Not only doctors and nurses. I hope we take this more seriously, as a people, because it’s like a slave trade all over again. And we need to be more serious about it.
People are calling for Nordica to expand to other states. Are there any plans for new branches?
That’s a tricky one. IVF clinics are not like McDonald’s—you can’t open one on every corner. What I’m focusing on now is consolidation, not expansion. After taking many calculated risks over the years, I’m more interested in strengthening what we’ve already built. We’ve achieved certain standards, and now it’s about maintaining them.
That’s why processes and quality control are so critical to us. We’re ISO-certified and have structured systems for nearly everything. In the next five years, I hope to play more with technology, remain as an emeritus, if need be, and let the next generation take the reins. If they want to expand, that will be their decision.
Beyond finance and education, what challenges do couples face in accessing fertility treatment in Nigeria?
Good question. One major factor is fear. Some people have the money and education, but they’re afraid—will the IVF baby be normal? Will people find out? Religion also adds pressure. Some religious leaders—who have no experience with infertility—place spiritual burdens on people that drive them into silence or even deception. We’ve reached a point where people buy babies. That’s how desperate some become. The societal premium placed on childbirth, especially for women, is enormous. Another issue is misinformation. People equate education with knowledge, but they’re not the same. We’ve had people walk into our clinic demanding a male child, not understanding what sex selection or IVF really entails. Some think we’ve got babies stored somewhere and we’re refusing to give them one. It’s ignorance, not illiteracy.
What would you say to those still hesitant about trying IVF?
IVF is now responsible for over 12 million babies globally. It’s a proven solution. While no medical process is 100% perfect, we now have genetic screening to improve outcomes. But if you want absolute certainty, you’ll never have a child—even natural births aren’t guaranteed perfect. What matters is finding a clinic that upholds quality. Don’t just go for the cheapest—that’s never the best. But expensive doesn’t always mean best either. Choose based on credibility, expertise, and consistency. Also, you must take charge of your health. Nigerians often see healthcare as the doctor’s responsibility, but it’s your body. Learn about it; take ownership of your wellness. Don’t just wait till there’s a crisis.
