Children younger than 14 years account for 44% of the Nigerian population of more than 170 million people [1]. There are fewer than 500 board-certified general radiologists and no pediatric radiologists to provide quality imaging services to these 75 million children, making the radiologic contribution to their care suboptimal. This compelled radiologists with a special interest in pediatric imaging to form the Society of Pediatric Imaging in Nigeria (SPIN) in June 2013. SPIN, though still in its infancy, has plans to coordinate scientific work and research activities in pediatric imaging throughout Nigeria and foster relationships between radiologists and their colleagues in the clinical pediatric specialties.

Since its establishment SPIN has been creating awareness at various meetings through attendance and presentations. Within Nigeria, the society hopes to organize training workshops and meetings, as well as professional development activities through fellowship training programs, subspecialty accreditation programs and residency programs. The organization will promote research in pediatric imaging, hopefully resulting in publications in pediatric imaging and other allied journals. SPIN will also provide a platform for Web-based sharing of expertise and coordinate teacher and student exchange programs. It is a priority to organize outreach activities to benefit SPIN’s members with needs in pediatric imaging, both in the clinical and educational environment.

SPIN is affiliated with the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN) so as to make an impact locally, especially in decision-making that affects training of qualified pediatric radiologists and the monitoring and standardization of equipment and practice, with the aim of reducing radiation dose to children. A curriculum for sub-specialization in pediatric imaging has been submitted to the training bodies and is awaiting approval. SPIN is also working with two international bodies with similar goals, the African Society of Pediatric Imaging (AfSPI) and the World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI). Through its association with these societies, SPIN hopes to benefit from the wealth of knowledge already available and can also benefit from volunteers visiting Nigeria to help in training radiologists. Training is especially necessary on maximizing the use of US imaging and on disseminating the principles of the Image Gently campaign to reduce radiation doses for children. The tasks seem daunting, but by working together with other organizations SPIN members are determined to make a difference in the lives of a vast number of children.