Tinubu Establishes National Health Technology Office

By Hannah Yemisi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) and appointed Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General (DG) of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, as its pioneer National Coordinator. The Office, domiciled within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under Professor Mohammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, will coordinate Nigeria’s digital health agenda by harmonising public and private sector digital health systems, setting interoperability standards and operationalising the National Digital Health Architecture, approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025. According to the statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expects the office 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.”

DECISION HIGHLIGHT

The federal government has created a central governance platform to coordinate digital health infrastructure, replacing fragmented implementation with nationally aligned standards and institutional oversight.

DECISION MEMO

The establishment of NHTDAO signals a shift from isolated digital health initiatives towards integrated governance. Rather than assuming operational functions already assigned to existing agencies, the Office is designed to coordinate architecture, standards and interoperability across the healthcare ecosystem.

Its placement within the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare indicates that digital health is increasingly being treated as strategic national infrastructure rather than a standalone technology programme. The emphasis on interoperability also reflects a policy preference for connected health data systems capable of supporting service delivery, planning and evidence-based decision-making.

The appointment of Adigwe reinforces the administration’s intention to anchor the initiative in scientific research and technology commercialisation. His previous leadership of projects involving artificial intelligence, pharmaceutical innovation and technology transfer suggests the office may adopt a technology-driven implementation approach alongside regulatory coordination.

DATA BOX

• New institution: National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office.
• Supervising institution: Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
• National Coordinator: Dr Obi Adigwe.
• National Digital Health Architecture approved: November 2025.
• Mandate: Coordinate national digital health policy, establish interoperability standards and harmonise public and private health data systems.
• Steering Committee co-chaired by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
• Membership includes the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Information Technology Development Agency, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, National Health Insurance Authority, Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain, SWAp Coordination Office, state commissioners of health and private sector representatives.
• According to the statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Office will reinforce, rather than replace, the statutory functions of existing institutions.

WHO WINS / WHO LOSES

Winners

• Public health institutions through improved system coordination.
• Digital health technology providers.
• Patients benefiting from more integrated healthcare services.
• Researchers and innovators developing health technology solutions.

Losers

• Fragmented digital health platforms operating without common standards.
• Duplicative data management systems.
• Institutions resistant to interoperable digital governance.

POLICY SIGNALS

• Digital health is becoming a core component of national health policy.
• Government is prioritising interoperability over institutional duplication.
• Technology governance is increasingly integrated into healthcare reform.
• Multi-agency coordination is replacing isolated digital transformation initiatives.

INVESTOR SIGNAL

The initiative strengthens the policy framework for investment in digital health, artificial intelligence, health data infrastructure, health technology and medical innovation. Standardised digital architecture and coordinated governance could reduce implementation uncertainty and create clearer pathways for public-private partnerships, subject to effective execution.

RISK RADAR

• Institutional coordination across multiple agencies.
• Data privacy and cybersecurity compliance.
• Funding and long-term operational sustainability.
• Capacity to implement nationwide interoperability standards.
• Governance risks associated with multi-stakeholder oversight.