Afropolitan

He Left Johns Hopkins to Transform Africa’s Healthcare & Built a $243M Empire

Nov 19, 2025
Guest
Dr. Julius Oni
Dr. Julius Oni, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of Excite Capital, shares his inspiring journey from Johns Hopkins to transforming healthcare in Nigeria. He discusses Nigeria's $2B medical tourism opportunity and how he aims to reduce this gap with local solutions. Oni outlines his business model for sustainable healthcare in emerging markets and the importance of choosing legacy over comfort. He highlights the progress in Nigerian medical care, including innovations in fertility and sickle cell treatments, while providing guidance for professionals considering a move back home.
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INSIGHT

Healthcare Dollar Leakage Is Massive

  • Nigeria loses about $1–2 billion annually to medical tourism, with musculoskeletal care making up ~40% of that outflow.
  • Repatriating even a portion of those dollars via strategic healthcare investment would significantly strengthen Nigeria's health ecosystem.
INSIGHT

Insurance Penetration Is A Major Constraint

  • Insurance penetration in Nigeria is low: roughly 10% coverage, leaving most to pay out of pocket.
  • Solving expatriation of healthcare dollars and expanding insurance require coordinated public-private strategies.
INSIGHT

Relational Care Is A Competitive Edge

  • Cultural context changes the practice: Nigerian care tends to be more relational and patient-focused than U.S. systems.
  • That relational advantage can be a competitive asset for medical tourism if quality and systems scale.
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