FG Moves to Accelerate Digital Health Transformation with National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office
Inaugurates Steering Committee on NHTDAO
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital transformation in Nigeria’s health sector through effective coordination, standardisation and integration of health technology and data systems.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), held at the Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.
Dr. Salako, who spoke on behalf of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee, said the establishment of the Office, approved by President Bola Tinubu, would provide a coordination mechanism for accelerating Nigeria’s digital health transformation. He stressed that it would complement, not replace, the responsibilities of existing departments, agencies, programmes and initiatives within the health sector.
According to him, the Office will promote collaboration and synergy among stakeholders while coordinating the implementation of Nigeria’s approved digital health architecture. He noted that the architecture, already approved by the National Council on Health, will serve as a foundation for moving digital health from policy and documentation to practical implementation and measurable impact.
The Minister emphasised that digital health remains a critical enabler of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), adding that deeper penetration of digital technologies is essential to achieving the objectives of the ongoing health sector reforms.
Dr. Salako identified the need to address fragmentation among Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems currently deployed in health facilities, noting that some existing systems are not interconnected or adequately standardised. He stressed the importance of establishing and enforcing minimum standards to ensure that digital solutions adopted by health facilities meet nationally agreed requirements.
According to a statement signed by Ado Bako, the Ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister called on members of the Steering Committee and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to work collaboratively with the Office to achieve its mandate and strengthen Nigeria’s digital health ecosystem.
He expressed confidence that effective coordination of health technology and data systems would support the development of smarter health facilities, improve interoperability and contribute to more efficient and responsive healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom disclosed that effective deployment of data analytics should go beyond production of routine reports to enabling government to anticipate health challenges, identify inequalities, allocate resources more intelligently, measure performance and improve health outcomes.
She called for an inclusive digital transformation that will reduce, rather than deepen, existing inequalities, particularly between urban and rural communities and other underserved populations.
Kachollom assured the Steering Committee of the Ministry’s commitment to providing the administrative and policy environment required for the Office to succeed, while encouraging collaboration among relevant departments, agencies and programmes.
She urged members to ensure clarity of roles, efficient utilisation of resources and avoidance of unnecessary duplication, noting that the ultimate objective is to create a health information and technology ecosystem that works seamlessly across institutional boundaries.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that their mandate extends beyond developing digital platforms and deploying technologies, but is fundamentally about contributing to a modern, resilient and people-centred health system capable of responding effectively to current and emerging health challenges.
She also identified interoperability, cybersecurity, data protection, ethical use of artificial intelligence, data governance and patient confidentiality as critical areas requiring attention, stressing that increased digitalisation must be accompanied by measures that strengthen public confidence in the security and responsible use of health information.
Kachollom congratulated members of the Steering Committee on their appointment and urged them to approach the assignment with a strong sense of purpose, collaboration and national responsibility.
Inaugurating the Committee on behalf of the Co-Chairmen, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf expressed hope that the Office would set guidelines to promote interoperability, adoption, scaling and private sector investment in the health sector.
He said the private sector has over the years demonstrated its willingness to partner with government, assuring of his organisation’s commitment to galvanise the Nigerian private sector to cooperate, support and participate in the implementation of the national initiative.
Members of the Steering Committee inaugurated include: Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. John Ovuoraye; Honourable Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani; DG, National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri; and National Coordinator, SWAp Office, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq.
Others are: Honourable Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel James; Dr. Haruna Buhari; National Coordinator, PVAC, Dr. Abdul Mukhtar; and Honourable Commissioner for Health, Yobe State, Dr. Muhammad Lawal Gana. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf are Co-Chairs of the Committee.
