President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) and appointed Dr Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a digitally driven healthcare system.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on X.
According to the statement, the new office will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and will serve as the country’s central platform for coordinating its digital health agenda.
“The NHTDAO will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country’s digital-health agenda,” the statement said.
It added that the office “will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies.”
The Presidency explained that the agency would harmonise the activities of public and private health institutions, establish standards to enable interoperability across the sector and drive the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
“It will also harmonise and empower the public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture, approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025,” the statement said.
The statement highlighted the credentials of the newly appointed National Coordinator, describing Adigwe as an accomplished scientist and administrator.
“The National Coordinator, Dr Adigwe, as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has leveraged science to catalyse interventions in artificial intelligence, translational research, and technology transfer.”
It noted that Adigwe coordinated several landmark initiatives, including the ¥300 million Nanotechnology Grant and the AFREXIMBank grant that established Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility.
“He coordinated major projects, including the ¥300m Nanotechnology grant and the AFREXIMBank grant for Africa’s first API Training Facility. He led the roadmap development that underpinned an €18 million EU grant, the largest in Africa for the thematic area.”
The Presidency also credited Adigwe with promoting African scientific research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the last pandemic, Adigwe globally showcased African science by undertaking the world’s first analysis to debunk claims about the Covid Organics preparation.”
According to the statement, the Office’s Steering Committee, which will provide strategic direction and oversight, will be co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Olaniyi Yusuf.
Other members include the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Kachollom Daju; the Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu; the National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr Abdu Mukhtar; the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina; the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri; the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; a representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency; six representatives of State Commissioners of Health, one from each geopolitical zone; and Pharm. Hamza Buhari, representing industry and the community.
The Presidency said Tinubu expects the new office to drive healthcare innovation and improve service delivery nationwide.
“The President expects NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.”
Boluwatife Enome
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