President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) and appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the new office will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The Presidency said the NHTDAO will serve as a national coordinating platform for Nigeria’s digital health agenda, strengthening collaboration across the health sector while reinforcing, rather than replacing, the statutory responsibilities of existing ministries, departments and agencies.
The office is expected to harmonise and empower public and private institutions within the healthcare system, establish standards for interoperability, and oversee the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.
On Adigwe’s appointment, the statement noted that the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has distinguished himself through the application of science and innovation in advancing artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer.
It added that Adigwe coordinated several high-impact initiatives, including a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant and an AFREXIMBank-funded project for Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility. He also led the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant—the largest in Africa within the thematic area—and gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for leading the world’s first scientific analysis debunking claims surrounding the Covid Organics preparation.
The Presidency also announced the composition of the Office’s Steering Committee, which will provide strategic direction and oversight.
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, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, will serve as Alternate Co-chair.
Other members include the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Kachollom Daju; the Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, Mr. Idris Alubankudi Saliu; the National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chain, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar; the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina; the 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 and Social Welfare; a representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency; six representatives of State Commissioners of Health, one from each geopolitical zone; and Pharm. Hamza Buhari, representing industry and the community.
According to the statement, President Tinubu expects the NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare system capable of improving health outcomes for citizens, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
