- Tinubu Launches NHTDAO to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Health Transformation
- Appoints Obi Adigwe Pioneer Coordinator
- Adigwe gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading scientific studies
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new institution designed to drive Nigeria’s digital health transformation, and appointed pharmaceutical researcher, Dr. Obi Adigwe, as its pioneer National Coordinator.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the office, which will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is expected to serve as Nigeria’s central platform for coordinating digital health initiatives, integrating health data systems and accelerating technology-driven reforms across the healthcare sector.
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According to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the NHTDAO is intended to strengthen, rather than replace, the statutory mandates of existing health institutions by providing national coordination, establishing interoperability standards and promoting collaboration among public and private healthcare stakeholders.
The Presidency stated that the office will operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025, providing the framework for a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare ecosystem.
It noted that the office would harmonise digital health initiatives nationwide, strengthen data governance, support innovation and facilitate evidence-based policymaking aimed at improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Tinubu appointed Adigwe, the current Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), to head the new office, citing his experience in pharmaceutical innovation, artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer.
During his tenure at NIPRD, Adigwe coordinated several high-impact international projects, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant, the establishment of Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Training Facility supported by the African Export-Import Bank and a roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant for pharmaceutical research, described as the largest of its kind on the continent.
He also gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading scientific studies that challenged claims surrounding the effectiveness of the herbal preparation known as “Covid Organics.”
To provide strategic oversight for the new office, President Tinubu approved a high-level steering committee to be co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf.
Other members of the committee include the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollom Daju; the Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, Idris Alubankudi Saliu; heads of key health institutions; representatives of the National Information Technology Development Agency, six state commissioners of health representing the geopolitical zones and an industry representative.
The Presidency said the creation of the office underscores the administration’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes and modernise service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the NHTDAO would accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and technology-driven health system capable of delivering improved healthcare services to citizens.
The Federal Government believes the office will enhance coordination among healthcare stakeholders, improve access to quality data for decision-making and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emerging public health challenges while supporting long-term national development objectives.
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