By Sola Ogundipe

At the Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, there is a popular phrase that patients never forget hearing. “It’s a boom!” For over two decades, this phrase has come in a burst of excitement, often followed by tears, laughter, and sometimes disbelief.
This ritual has remained the Centre’s tradition of celebrating a positive pregnancy test after an IVF cycle. For many couples at the Lagos clinic and branches in Abuja and Asaba, it is a moment marking the end of years of waiting.
After 23 years of helping to complete families in Nigeria, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos has contributed to transforming fertility care, delivering over 5,000 babies and reaching more than 15,000 families across the country.
Disclosing this to Good Health Weekly at a media parley to mark its 23rd anniversary, the Medical Director/CEO, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Abuja (FCT) and Asaba, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, described the journey as one of turning hope into reality for couples who once faced the stigma and uncertainty of infertility.
“We started at a time when information was limited, there was no internet, and we relied heavily on phone calls for guidance. Today, the landscape is completely different.
“Age is the number one factor, as a woman, your eggs are as old as you are. If you are 26 years old, your eggs are 26 years old; if you are 40, your eggs are 40. It may sound simple, but it is one of the most misunderstood realities in fertility care,” he said.
Founded at a time when infertility was widely misunderstood and often shrouded in silence, Ajayi said that one of Nordica’s biggest contributions has been shifting public perception from stigma to science.
“Today, many children born through assisted reproduction are grown, with some already in universities, reflecting a multi-generational impact of our work.
“Beyond patient care, Nordica is also helping to reverse Nigeria’s long-standing trend of medical tourism. More Nigerians are now choosing to receive fertility treatment locally rather than travelling abroad.
“Patients no longer have to leave Nigeria to access world-class fertility care. We are even seeing people come into the country for treatment.
According to Ajayi, the centre has contributed to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system by training and mentoring over 100 physicians, positioning the country as an emerging fertility hub in West Africa.
Across Nigeria, many couples delay seeking help, often encouraged by well meaning advice to wait or keep praying, but biology does not wait. Each passing year quietly reduces the chances of conception, turning what could have been a straightforward intervention into a more complex struggle.
“Education is everything, and everyone has a role to play. Clear, honest storytelling can bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding.”
Further, Ajayi said, “In the end, fertility is not just a clinical issue, it is deeply human. A patient’s story of success can inspire someone else to act. In a country where hope often competes with hesitation, that message may be as important as any medical breakthrough.”
Noting that healthcare communication is still a challenge., he remarked that doctors need to communicate in a way patients understand.
On success rates, he noted that education remains key. Also speaking, the Clinic Manager, Nordica Lagos, Mrs Tola Ajayi noted that a decade ago, many couples would never admit to fertility struggles. “Today, more people are beginning to speak and share their journeys openly. Others choose anonymity but still allow their stories to be told.
“One of our patients chose a different path entirely. After a successful IVF cycle, she made an unusual request. According to her, if her pregnancy test was positive, she wanted her face shown, fully visible. When the result came, the now familiar shout rang out. It’s a boom! We shot the video and it spread widely, becoming one of our most watched clips.
“IVF is not buying a baby, it is your egg and your partner’s sperm. The only difference is that fertilisation happens in the laboratory, pregnancy still happens in your body. The child is yours. This distinction is critical.”
A major part of Nordica’s growth has been driven by technology, with its pioneering role in introducing advanced reproductive techniques in Nigeria and the sub-region, including specialised sperm selection methods, embryo preservation, and genetic screening.
Among others, Nordica Lagos pioneered non-invasive fibroid treatment using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), offering women alternatives to surgery. In recent years, the centre expanded focus beyond fertility treatment to include a more holistic approach to women’s health, integrating fertility care with fibroid management, counselling, and lifestyle support.