The Federal Government of Nigeria has embarked on a digital health revolution, laying out a comprehensive roadmap to digitise the country’s healthcare system.
This initiative aims to implement electronic health records (EHRs) across 1,691 health facilities and is projected to unlock billions in savings and create thousands of jobs by 2030.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa announced this during the National Stakeholders Roundtable on Digital Health in Abuja on Thursday. He was represented by the senior technical adviser on digital health to the minister, Dr. ‘Leke Ojewale.
Alausa shared Nigeria’s ambitious vision for transforming healthcare delivery through digitisation. According to him, the National Digital Health Infrastructure (NDHI) project seeks to create a unified, interoperable health information system that enhances data sharing, patient care, and healthcare efficiency nationwide.
“The current state of Nigeria’s health system presents a significant opportunity for digital transformation,” he stated. “We stand to gain substantial economic and public health benefits through digitization. We could achieve efficiency gains of 10-15 per cent in healthcare, translating to approximately $3.3 billion in savings by 2030.”
He noted that the NDHI has already made considerable progress in establishing the foundation for this transformation. “Governance structures and a data architecture blueprint have been put in place and requests for proposals (RFPs) for core digital health solutions were recently launched,” he said.
The minister explained that the 1,691 health facilities, which include primary, secondary and tertiary levels, will adopt EHRs. This will enable healthcare providers to access patient data seamlessly across the system.
Alausa highlighted the positive outcomes observed in countries that have embraced digital health solutions. “For instance, in Rwanda, where 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, 30 per cent of citizens now have remote access to healthcare via digital applications. Similarly, Tanzania has experienced a 2.1 per cent reduction in monthly stockouts of essential medications in facilities using electronic immunisation registration systems.”
Other global examples include the UK, where digital health tools have led to a 40 per cent reduction in demand for general practitioner services and Ghana, where a medicine barcode system has decreased counterfeit medications by 30 per cent. “These international examples illustrate how digital health can lead to better outcomes, including improved access, reduced errors, and enhanced efficiency,” the minister explained.
Beyond the health sector, Alausa emphasised the economic benefits that digitisation could bring to Nigeria. “The digital health market is projected to grow by 6-8 per cent annually, potentially reaching $500 million by 2029. Additionally, digital health could create 250,000 direct and indirect jobs across Africa by 2030, with Nigeria positioned to play a leading role in this ecosystem.”
He noted that Nigerian digital health startups have already shown significant potential, with one raising $10 million and serving 1,000 facilities across ten countries. In the coming year, the NDHI will focus on deploying EHRs in facilities and developing an interoperable framework to ensure seamless data exchange.
“Plans are also underway to strengthen data security, governance, and standardisation to support a resilient health ecosystem. By Year Five, Nigeria aims to scale up its digital health infrastructure, expand the number of facilities using EHRs, and integrate private sector initiatives. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable system leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as personalised wellness apps, genomics and intelligent disease outbreak management,” he stated.
Alausa concluded, “Nigeria is on the brink of a digital health revolution. With the right investments, partnerships, and commitment, we can build a system that enhances health outcomes, drives economic growth and positions us as a leader in digital health across Africa.”
Experts, as reported by Science Nigeria, believe that the NDHI’s digital health initiative is a bold step toward addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. As it unfolds, it has the potential to dramatically enhance healthcare access, efficiency, and resilience while creating jobs and boosting the economy. They noted that this initiative highlights Nigeria’s digital health vision, the progress made, and the potential impacts of this transformative effort, showcasing successful global case studies that align Nigeria’s goals with broader economic and healthcare benefits.
