By Admin
The Federal Government has called for an estimated ₦500 billion investment over the next five years to expand Nigeria's digital health infrastructure and fast-track the rollout of an integrated national health system.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who made the appeal while declaring open the 6th Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS 2026) in Abuja, said Nigeria has moved beyond piloting digital health initiatives in isolated locations and is now concentrating on scaling integrated systems nationwide in its advance to Universal Health Coverage.
Salako said the National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), already endorsed by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, provides the blueprint for harmonising health information systems, strengthening interoperability and establishing shared health records to support continuity of care, planning and evidence-based decision-making across the sector.
He noted that an assessment of the country's 79 federal tertiary hospitals recorded an average Electronic Medical Records adoption rate of 74.5 percent. Digital logistics platforms, he added, have also been deployed across all 774 local government areas to strengthen vaccine supply chain management, while states are being encouraged to adopt the National Digital Health Architecture as part of ongoing primary healthcare reforms.
Despite the gains, Salako acknowledged that major obstacles remain. These include unreliable electricity and internet connectivity in many primary healthcare centres, poor interoperability among existing legacy systems, a shortage of digital health skills and continued dependence on donor funding.
He said 43 percent of primary healthcare centres are without electricity, while about 60 per cent of rural health facilities have no internet connectivity, underscoring the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructure.
Salako urged development partners, state governments, private sector investors and technology innovators to align their investments with the National Digital Health Architecture. He appealed to the National Pension Commission and Pension Fund Administrators to view digital health infrastructure as a strategic long-term investment capable of strengthening health insurance, improving efficiency and delivering better health outcomes for Nigerians.
Salako said the Federal Government has already put in place the policy direction, standards and implementation framework needed to transform Nigeria's digital health ecosystem from fragmented initiatives into a coordinated national platform.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to working with state governments, development partners and the private sector to accelerate the adoption of secure, interoperable and sustainable digital health solutions that will strengthen the health system and improve access to quality healthcare across the country.
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