President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) to drive Nigeria’s digital health transformation and appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
The Presidency said the new office, which will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is expected to coordinate Nigeria’s digital health agenda, strengthen the use of data in healthcare and improve collaboration across the health sector.
Announcing the development in a statement on Friday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the office would serve as the country’s central platform for digital health coordination.
“The NHTDAO will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country’s digital-health agenda,” the statement said.
According to the Presidency, the office will drive interoperability across Nigeria’s health ecosystem and ensure digital health initiatives are implemented under a unified national framework.
“It will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies. It will harmonise and empower public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.”
The Presidency described the creation of the office as a major step towards modernising healthcare delivery through technology, data and innovation.
“The establishment of the NHTDAO reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to building a secure, interoperable and technology-driven health system that delivers better outcomes for Nigerians.”
Adigwe, who currently serves as Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was appointed to lead the office based on his track record in science, health innovation and technology.
According to the Presidency, he has led major initiatives in artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer, including the ¥300 million Nanotechnology grant, the AFREXIMBank-supported project for Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Training Facility, and the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant for health research.
The statement also noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Adigwe led what it described as the world’s first scientific analysis debunking claims about the COVID Organics herbal preparation.
“Dr. Adigwe brings a wealth of experience in health innovation, research translation, digital technologies and evidence-based policymaking that will be instrumental in driving the mandate of the new office.”
Tinubu also approved a high-level steering committee to provide strategic direction for the office. The committee will be co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf, with membership drawn from key health institutions, technology agencies, state governments and the private sector.
The President said the office would accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a modern, technology-driven healthcare system.
“The President expects NHTDAO 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.”
The Presidency added that the office would promote greater collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, researchers, innovators and private-sector partners to unlock the full potential of digital technologies in strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
“By coordinating digital health initiatives under one national framework, the NHTDAO will help unlock innovation, improve efficiency and ensure that technology delivers tangible benefits to every Nigerian.”