Tinubu Establishes National Health Technology Office, Appoints Obi Adigwe as Coordinator

By Emmanuel Kwada

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new agency designed to coordinate and drive Nigeria’s digital health transformation agenda.

The President also appointed Dr. Obi Adigwe as the pioneer National Coordinator of the office, which will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the NHTDAO will serve as a central platform for coordinating health technology and data-driven initiatives across the country.

The statement explained that the office is intended to strengthen, rather than replace, the statutory functions of existing health institutions and agencies. It will harmonise efforts across public and private sector stakeholders, establish interoperability standards, and oversee the implementation of Nigeria’s National Digital Health Architecture, which was approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.

The Presidency said the new office is expected to accelerate the adoption of secure, integrated and data-driven healthcare systems capable of improving health outcomes nationwide.

Dr. Adigwe, who currently serves as Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was selected based on his track record in advancing science, technology, artificial intelligence, translational research and innovation within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

His achievements include coordinating a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant project and facilitating an AFREXIMBank-supported initiative that established Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility. He also led the development of a roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant, described as the largest in Africa within its thematic area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adigwe gained international recognition for conducting what was described as the world’s first scientific analysis that challenged claims surrounding the efficacy of the Covid Organics herbal preparation.

To provide strategic direction and oversight, the office will be guided by a Steering Committee co-chaired by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf.

Other members include the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollom Daju, and several key officials from health, technology and development institutions, as well as representatives of state commissioners of health from the six geopolitical zones.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the NHTDAO would play a pivotal role in modernising Nigeria’s healthcare system and advancing the objectives of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through innovation, technology and data-driven decision-making.

The approval takes effect immediately.