Tinubu sets up National Health Technology Office, names Obi Adigwe as first coordinator

President Bola Tinubu has given the go-ahead to set up the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO). He has appointed Obi Adigwe as its first National Coordinator.

The new agency will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

NHTDAO will act as a national platform to coordinate Nigeria’s digital health plans. It will support the work of existing health departments and agencies, not replace them.

The office will also work to unite and empower both public and private health institutions. It will set the standards to connect these institutions and put into action the National Digital Health Architecture. This architecture was approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.

Mr Adigwe, the National Coordinator, is also the Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development. He has used science to push for advancements in artificial intelligence, research, and technology transfer.

He has led significant projects, such as the ¥300 million Nanotechnology grant and the AFREXIMBank grant for Africa’s first API Training Facility. He played a key role in developing a roadmap for an €18 million EU grant, which is the largest in Africa for that area.

During the recent pandemic, Mr Adigwe helped showcase African science by doing the world’s first analysis to challenge claims about the Covid Organics preparation.

The Office’s Steering Committee will guide its work and includes:

• Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Co-chair)
• Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (Co-chair)
• Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare (Alternate Co-chair)
• Kachollom Daju, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
• Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy
• Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator, SWAp Coordination Office
• Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain
• Muyi Aina, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency
• Kelechi Ohiri, Director General, National Health Insurance Authority
• Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare National Information Technology Development Agency
• Six representatives of State Commissioners of Health, one from each of the six geopolitical zones
• Pharm Hamza Buhari, stakeholder representing industry and community

President Tinubu hopes the NHTDAO will speed up Nigeria’s shift to a secure, data-driven health system. This aims to improve health outcomes for all citizens, in line with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.