Dr. Obi
The National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new organization intended to spearhead the nation’s digital health revolution, has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, who also named Dr. Obi Adigwe as its first National Coordinator.
The information was revealed in a statement released on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy.
He stated that the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare would oversee the office’s operations.
The announcement states that the NHTDAO will serve as a central platform for organizing Nigeria’s digital health ecosystem, offering strategic oversight while enhancing rather than taking over the statutory duties of current organizations.
In addition to establishing uniform standards and supervising the execution of the National Digital Health Architecture, which was adopted by the National Council on Health in November 2025, the agency is anticipated to coordinate digital health activities across the public and private sectors.
Adigwe, who presently holds the position of Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was characterized by Onanuga as a scientist with a wealth of expertise in developing technology transfer, translational research, and artificial intelligence.
He mentioned that Adigwe oversaw a number of historic projects, such as the AFREXIMBank-backed project for Africa’s first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) training facility and a ¥300 million nanotechnology award.
Additionally, he oversaw the creation of the plan that won a €18 million grant from the European Union, which is said to be the biggest on the continent for that particular theme.
According to the statement, Adigwe became well-known throughout the world during the COVID-19 epidemic for spearheading what was said to be the first scientific investigation that refuted rumors of COVID-19 organic preparations.
A multi-sectoral steering group was also approved by the president to direct the NHTDAO’s operations. Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Olaniyi Yusuf, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), will co-chair the committee.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who will act as an alternate co-chair; Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Idris Alubankudi Saliu, the President’s Special Advisor on Technology and Digital Economy; Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office; Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain; Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Six state commissioners for health, one from each of the nation’s six geopolitical zones, will also serve on the group.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu anticipates that the new office will expedite Nigeria’s shift to a data-driven, secure, and interoperable health system that will enhance health outcomes and further the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda’s healthcare goals.
