By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's digital health ecosystem and improve healthcare delivery through technology and data-driven innovation.
The President also approved the appointment of Dr. Obi Adigwe as the pioneer National Coordinator of the new office, which will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the NHTDAO will serve as the country's central platform for coordinating Nigeria's digital health agenda.
The statement explained that the office is designed to reinforce—not replace—the statutory responsibilities of existing health agencies and departments. Instead, it will harmonise and strengthen collaboration among public and private institutions within the health sector, establish interoperability standards, and drive the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
Dr. Adigwe, who currently serves as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), is credited with leading several landmark scientific and technological initiatives. His achievements include coordinating a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant, securing an AFREXIMBank grant for Africa's first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Training Facility, and leading the development of a roadmap that attracted an €18 million European Union grant—the largest in Africa for the thematic area.
He also gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading the world's first scientific analysis that debunked claims surrounding the COVID Organics herbal preparation.
To provide strategic direction and oversight, the Federal Government has constituted a Steering Committee 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; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Kachollom Daju; Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, Mr. Idris Alubankudi Saliu; representatives of key health institutions, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), six state commissioners of health representing the geopolitical zones, and industry representative Pharm. Hamza Buhari.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the NHTDAO will accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare system capable of improving health outcomes for all Nigerians, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
