NITDA, ACEPHAP Collaborate to Transform Nigeria’s Healthcare with Tech Innovations

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to collaborate with the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) to transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria through technological innovations.

This initiative aligns with the agency’s ongoing efforts to implement presidential priority areas, particularly focusing on education, health, and social investment, by strengthening capacities through digital innovation and inclusive access to technology.

This collaboration was announced during a visit by a delegation from ACEPHAP, led by its director, Professor Hadiza Shehu Galadanci, to the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss possible areas of collaboration.

Mr. Inuwa outlined a comprehensive plan to leverage technology as an enabler across all critical sectors in Nigeria, particularly healthcare. He emphasized that technology is not a standalone sector but an essential tool that enhances productivity and innovation across all sectors.

Enumerating the agency’s pillars of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) to create a thriving digital ecosystem benefiting all sectors, he stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has prioritized healthcare by utilizing technology to achieve significant development in the sector.

“Healthcare is key to us, and the President is also big and loud on it, so we have crafted our strategic roadmap and action plan which has eight pillars to achieve significant milestones in the sector,” he noted.

Speaking on the first pillar, which is to foster digital literacy and cultivate talents, he said that the agency has set an ambitious target of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, with a mid-term target of 70% by 2027.

Consequently, it has rolled out the Digital Literacy for All program, aiming to infuse digital skills into the national academic curriculum in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

He also noted that the government is training 3 million Nigerians in high-demand IT skills through various initiatives, including partnerships with platforms like Coursera.

“We aim to increase the digital fluency of our citizens. Everyone should be able to use digital devices safely and responsibly, as well as build our proficiency so that we can enhance our digital offerings in the country,” he added.

Inuwa provided valuable insights into various strategic initiatives the agency has been implementing, which the visitors can leverage to create a vibrant healthcare sector in alignment with the other SRAP pillars.

The agency is investing in research on six emerging technologies: AI, IoT, Robotics, UAVs, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing, to establish centres of excellence in geopolitical zones to foster innovation and collaboration.

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“Based on that, we would do the site readiness assessment for the equipment you need, and you can do it for any or all of the identified emerging technologies with your focus on healthcare,” he stated.

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring the privacy of patients’ data, Inuwa asserted that “Cyber security is critical to whatever you do because even the patients need to be sure of the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of their information. As you digitize, you need to make sure their data is secure.”

He also disclosed that through the Nigeria Startup Act, NITDA has been supporting startups with incentives and resources to foster innovation, adding that the agency encourages startups to register and benefit from these initiatives to boost their growth and scalability.

Speaking on forging strategic partnerships and collaboration, he mentioned that the agency engages with academia, corporate organizations, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and government entities to build a cohesive innovation ecosystem.

The NITDA boss added that the multi-stakeholder approach ensures diverse perspectives and resources contribute to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

He noted that the collaboration between the organizations is a transformative step in the right direction.

Inuwa highlighted that adopting AI tools to enhance medical research and diagnostics is an innovative approach to transforming healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He mentioned recent collaborations, such as with E-Health Africa, which utilizes AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance medical research and diagnostics. This approach is part of a broader strategy to develop local AI-driven solutions that can transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

In her remarks, Professor Galadanci expressed optimism about the future and envisioned a long-lasting relationship with NITDA that will drive transformative change in the healthcare sector.

Highlighting the centre’s focus on healthcare entrepreneurship and innovation, she shared success stories from their healthcare entrepreneurship boot camp and pitching event in 2023, where young innovators were identified in Kano and supported with seed grants to develop their ideas further.

The centre’s director noted that the collaboration would translate research into impactful policies and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, and healthcare professionals.

“We sincerely hope this will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship and partnership that will translate to the true meaning of the quadruple helix in the quest to address healthcare challenges through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Africa,” she remarked.