Tinubu Establishes National Health Technology Office

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) and appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as the pioneer national coordinator.

According to a release from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the NHTDAO will be housed within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It will serve as a meta-level national platform to coordinate the country's digital health agenda, reinforcing but not replacing existing statutory functions of relevant departments.

The agency aims to harmonize and empower public and private institutions across the health system, setting standards and connecting operational aspects of the national digital health architecture. The NHTDAO is expected to accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable, data-driven health system, improving outcomes for citizens in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

The National Council on Health will oversee the NHTDAO, with Dr. Adigwe leveraging science and technology to drive major projects, including a $300 million nanotechnology grant and an 18 million EU grant.