President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the creation of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a brand-new agency tasked with steering Nigeria’s digital health strategy. To lead this initiative, the president has named Dr. Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
The newly formed office will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. According to the Presidency, the NHTDAO is designed to function as a national hub for health technology and data analytics. It will offer strategic direction for Nigeria’s digital health ecosystem while working alongside, rather than replacing, the statutory duties of existing health bodies and agencies.
Spreading the word on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explained in a statement that the agency will bridge gaps and boost collaboration between public and private institutions across the healthcare landscape.
The office is also charged with setting standards for interoperability and managing the execution of the National Digital Health Architecture, which was approved by the National Council on Health back in November 2025.
The administration anticipates that this move will quicken Nigeria’s shift toward a secure, integrated, and data-backed healthcare framework, ultimately boosting health outcomes for citizens in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Adigwe, who transitions into this pioneer role from his current position as the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was selected based on his strong track record of driving science, technology, and innovation within Nigeria’s health sector.
The Presidency highlighted his leadership in artificial intelligence, translational research, and technology transfer.
Among his notable achievements, Adigwe successfully managed a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and an AFREXIMBank-backed project that set up Africa’s very first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility. He also spearheaded the roadmap that brought in an €18 million European Union grant, the largest ever given to Africa for that specific focus area. Furthermore, he earned global accolades during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading what was described as the world’s first scientific analysis to debunk claims about the Madagascar Covid Organics herbal remedy.
To provide high-level governance for the new agency, President Tinubu has also set up a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee. This team will be co-chaired by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, alongside Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
The committee features a robust lineup of officials, including Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare) as the Alternate Co-chair, and Ms. Kachollom Daju (Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare).
Joining them are Mr. Idris Alubankudi Saliu (Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy) and Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq (National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach Coordination Office).
Rounding out the steering committee are Dr. Abdu Mukhtar (National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain), Dr. Muyi Aina (Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency), and Dr. Kelechi Ohiri (Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority).
The board will also include the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics from the Health Ministry, a representative from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), six State Commissioners of Health representing each geopolitical zone, and Pharm. Hamza Buhari, who will represent industry and community stakeholders.
The Presidency remains confident that the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office will supercharge digital innovation and vastly improve how technology and data are used in healthcare planning, delivery, and policy creation across Nigeria.
