By our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new agency aimed at driving Nigeria’s digital health transformation, and appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
The Presidency announced that the new office will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, serving as a national platform to coordinate and accelerate the country’s digital health agenda.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the NHTDAO will reinforce—not replace—the statutory responsibilities of existing health agencies. Instead, it will harmonise the activities of public and private institutions across the health sector, establish interoperability standards, and oversee the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
The statement noted that the creation of the office reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a secure, integrated and data-driven healthcare system capable of improving health outcomes for Nigerians.
Dr. Adigwe, who currently serves as Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was selected to lead the new office based on his extensive experience in science, innovation and health technology.
During his tenure at NIPRD, Adigwe spearheaded initiatives in artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer. He coordinated several high-profile projects, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and an AFREXIMBank-supported project that established Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Training Facility.
He also led the development of the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant—the largest awarded in Africa for the thematic area—and gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting the world’s first scientific analysis that debunked claims surrounding the Covid Organics herbal preparation.
To provide strategic direction and oversight for the office, President Tinubu approved a multi-sectoral 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; the President’s Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy, Mr. Idris Alubankudi Saliu; National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar; Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina; 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 drawn from the six geopolitical zones; and Pharm. Hamza Buhari representing industry and community stakeholders.
The President expressed confidence that the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office will accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and technology-driven healthcare system, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
