FG Establishes National Health Technology Office, Appoints Obi Adigwe As Pioneer Coordinator

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new federal body designed to coordinate Nigeria's digital health ecosystem and strengthen the use of technology and data across the country's healthcare system.

The President also appointed Dr Obi Adigwe as the pioneer National Coordinator of the office, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The newly created office will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and is expected to serve as the country's central platform for implementing digital health policies and coordinating technology-driven healthcare initiatives.

According to the Presidency, the NHTDAO is intended to complement not replace the statutory responsibilities of existing agencies and departments within the health sector. Instead, it will provide strategic coordination by harmonising digital health programmes across public and private institutions, setting interoperability standards and overseeing the implementation of Nigeria's National Digital Health Architecture.

The digital health framework was approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025 as part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare delivery through technology, data integration and improved information management.

The Presidency said the establishment of the office is expected to accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare system capable of improving service delivery and health outcomes nationwide.

As pioneer National Coordinator, Dr Adigwe will oversee the implementation of the office's mandate and coordinate collaboration among key stakeholders in Nigeria's health and technology sectors.

Before the appointment, Adigwe served as Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), where he led several research, innovation and technology initiatives.

According to the Presidency, he coordinated major scientific and technological projects, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)-supported project that established Africa's first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility.

The statement also noted that Adigwe led the development of a roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant for healthcare innovation and gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading research that challenged claims surrounding the herbal preparation known as COVID Organics.

President Tinubu also approved a multi-sectoral Steering Committee to provide strategic direction and oversight for the new office.

The committee will be co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Olaniyi Yusuf.

Other members include the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Kachollom Daju, the President's Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy Idris Alubankudi Saliu, National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain Dr Abdu Mukhtar, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Muyi Aina, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority Dr Kelechi Ohiri, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health, a representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), six representatives of state commissioners of health, one from each geopolitical zone and Pharm. Hamza Buhari, representing industry and community stakeholders.

The Presidency said the creation of the NHTDAO aligns with the Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects its commitment to deploying technology, data analytics and innovation to strengthen healthcare delivery.

Officials expect the office to improve coordination among health institutions, enhance data sharing, establish common digital standards and support evidence-based decision-making across Nigeria's healthcare system.