The Federal Government has called for an estimated ₦500 billion investment over the next five years to accelerate Nigeria’s digital health transformation and build an integrated, interoperable healthcare system capable of improving service delivery and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call while declaring open the 6th Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS 2026) in Abuja. He said Nigeria had moved beyond testing digital health solutions through isolated pilot projects and was now focused on scaling nationally integrated systems that deliver measurable benefits for every Nigerian.
“Our focus is no longer on proving digital health solutions through isolated pilot projects. The priority now is scaling nationally integrated systems that deliver measurable impact for every Nigerian,” Salako said.
The minister said the National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), which has been endorsed by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, provides the blueprint for harmonising health information systems, improving interoperability and creating a shared health record that will strengthen continuity of care, planning and evidence-based decision-making.
“The National Digital Health Architecture provides the framework for harmonising health information systems, improving interoperability and enabling a shared health record that strengthens continuity of care and evidence-based decision-making across our health sector,” he stated.
Highlighting progress already recorded, Salako disclosed that an assessment of Nigeria’s 79 Federal Tertiary Hospitals showed an average 74.5 per cent adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). He added that digital logistics platforms had been deployed across all 774 Local Government Areas to strengthen vaccine supply chain management, while states were being incentivised to adopt the national architecture through ongoing primary healthcare reforms.
“We are already seeing encouraging results. Our federal tertiary hospitals have achieved an average Electronic Medical Records adoption rate of 74.5 per cent, while digital logistics platforms now support vaccine supply chains across all 774 local government areas,” he said.
Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that significant structural gaps remain. He revealed that 43 per cent of Primary Healthcare Centres lack electricity, while about 60 per cent of rural health facilities have no internet connectivity, posing major barriers to digital health deployment.
He also identified poor interoperability among legacy systems, shortages of skilled digital health professionals and continued dependence on donor funding as major challenges.
“We must confront these realities. Without reliable electricity, internet connectivity and skilled personnel, digital health cannot achieve its full potential. These infrastructure gaps require sustained investment,” Salako said.
The minister urged development partners, state governments, technology innovators and the private sector to align their investments with the National Digital Health Architecture to avoid fragmented systems and maximise impact.
“I call on development partners, state governments, the private sector and technology innovators to align their investments with the National Digital Health Architecture. We must build one integrated ecosystem, not isolated digital islands,” he said.
Salako also appealed to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Pension Fund Administrators to view digital health infrastructure as a viable long-term investment capable of improving healthcare financing and efficiency.
“Digital health infrastructure should be seen as a strategic long-term investment. It will strengthen health insurance, improve efficiency and ultimately deliver better health outcomes for Nigerians,” he added.
The minister stressed that the Federal Government had already established the policy direction, standards and implementation framework required to move Nigeria’s digital health ecosystem from fragmented innovations to a unified national platform.
“The Federal Government has provided the policy direction, standards and implementation framework. Our task now is to work together to scale secure, interoperable and sustainable digital health solutions that leave no Nigerian behind,” Salako said.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with states, development partners and the private sector to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies that will strengthen the country’s health system and expand access to quality healthcare nationwide.