President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO).
Tinubu also appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as the pioneer National Coordinator of the office.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Friday, said the new office will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
He said NHTDAO will serve as a national platform for coordinating Nigeria’s digital health agenda.
According to the statement, the office will complement, rather than replace, the statutory responsibilities of existing health institutions.
Onanuga said the NHTDAO will harmonise public and private sector digital health initiatives, set interoperability standards and drive the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
Adigwe, who is currently the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was recognised for his contributions to science, artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer.
He has coordinated several initiatives, including the ¥300 million Nanotechnology Grant, the AFREXIMBank-funded Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility and the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant for health innovation.
He also led the world’s first scientific analysis that challenged claims surrounding the Covid Organics herbal preparation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tinubu also approved a multi-sectoral steering committee to provide strategic direction and oversight for the office.
The committee will be co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf.
Other members include Atetnate Co-chair, Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare; Ms Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy.
Also on the committee are Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator, SWAp Coordination Office; Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain; Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency; and Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General, National Health Insurance Authority.
Others include the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, a representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency, six representatives of State Commissioners of Health from the six geopolitical zones, and Pharm Hamza Buhari, stakeholder representative for industry and community.
Tinubu said the new office is expected to support Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves healthcare outcomes.
(The Whistler)
