The Nigerian government has announced a comprehensive digital transformation of Nigeria’s health system as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda to revolutionise healthcare delivery through data and technology.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced on Monday at the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHI) national stakeholders meeting held in Abuja.
Salako described the initiative as a “decisive moment” for the country’s healthcare system, noting that it would position data and digital tools as the foundation of healthcare reform.
“For decades, our healthcare system has grappled with fragmented data collection, poor system interoperability, and inefficient service delivery. Today, we are at an inflection point,” he said.
Overhauling Fragmented Infrastructure
The NDHI, launched in March 2024, is designed to unify Nigeria’s digital health ecosystem by creating a modular, open, and interoperable network of digital health services.
The initiative has already been endorsed by the National Council on Health since November 2024.
Dr Salako explained that the programme will allow for:
- Real-time tracking of disease outbreaks
- Streamlined healthcare financing
- Enhanced immunisation coverage
- Support for innovators to develop health apps that improve care and generate employment
“Digital tools are no longer a luxury but a necessity—for frontline workers and policymakers alike,” Salako stated.
Key Pillars of NDHI
The NDHI is anchored on three foundational pillars:
- Interoperable Digital Health Services Network: Comprising open, modular, and connected tools to enhance service delivery.
- Health Claims Exchange (HCX): A platform for real-time health claims processing, aiming to reduce fraud and improve spending efficiency.
- Health Information Exchange (HIE): A secure infrastructure to enable seamless data sharing across health facilities, state boundaries, and between the public and private sectors.
These elements will contribute to a new national health data space, supporting clinical decisions, public health surveillance, resource distribution, and digital health innovation.
The journey to digitalize the Nigerian health system has been in pockets and silos until last March, 2024 when the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative was birthed by the Renewed Hope Agenda of @officialABAT.
Its been a progressive journey and today under my watch as Minister… pic.twitter.com/whzammZMwq
— Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako (@SalakoIziaq) June 2, 2025
Inclusive and Coordinated Implementation
Salako emphasised the importance of collaboration across all tiers of government, urging state commissioners of health and digital health focal persons to commit to practical timelines and coordinated action.
“A woman delivering in a rural community in Yobe will have her medical records linked to referral centres across Nigeria—without relying on paper folders. This is the future we are building,” he said.
He further highlighted that since the private sector accounts for 60% of healthcare delivery, it must be fully integrated into national health reporting systems.
From Vision to Execution
Describing the NDHI as a national—not merely federal—initiative, Salako called on stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to take collective ownership of the digital health transformation.
“We must move from vision to execution. Let this meeting be remembered not merely as a gathering but as the launchpad for a smarter, stronger, and more equitable health system for all Nigerians,” he concluded.