FG Inaugurates Health Technology Office To Drive Digital Transformation –
Federal Government Launches National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially inaugurated the Steering Committee for the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), aiming to enhance digital transformation within the country’s health sector. The initiative was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the inaugural meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated that the new office would oversee the coordination and standardization of health technology and data systems nationwide. Salako clarified that the NHTDAO is intended to complement existing health departments, agencies, and programs rather than replace them.
“The NHTDAO will facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders and coordinate the implementation of Nigeria’s approved digital health architecture,” he said. This architecture, already sanctioned by the National Council on Health, aims to transition digital health from policy into practical, measurable applications across the health system.
Salako emphasized that digital health is a crucial component of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, asserting that broader adoption of digital technologies is vital for ongoing reforms in the sector. He pointed out the challenges caused by fragmented electronic medical record systems in health facilities, noting that many existing platforms lack interconnectivity and standardization.
He urged the establishment of minimum standards to ensure that digital health solutions implemented by healthcare facilities comply with nationally agreed requirements.
Daju Kachollom, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasized that data analytics must evolve beyond simply producing routine reports. It should enable the government to foresee health challenges, identify inequalities, allocate resources efficiently, and enhance health outcomes. Kachollom highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital transformation does not exacerbate existing disparities between urban and rural communities and vulnerable populations.
Key priorities for the NHTDAO, as outlined by Kachollom, include interoperability, cybersecurity, data protection, ethical use of artificial intelligence, data governance, and patient confidentiality. She stressed that increased digitalization must be accompanied by strong safeguards to maintain public confidence in the security and responsible usage of health information.
Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, representing the co-chairmen at the inauguration, indicated that the office is expected to develop guidelines that promote interoperability, encourage the adoption of digital health solutions, and stimulate private-sector investment in the healthcare sector. He expressed the private sector’s readiness to partner with the government to mobilize support for the initiative.
The NHTDAO Steering Committee is co-chaired by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Dr. Iziaq Salako; and Olaniyi Yusuf. Other committee members include Kachollom, Dr. John Ovuoreye, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, along with additional health officials and commissioners.
