President Tinubu Creates Data Analytics Office, Appoints Obi As Pioneer Coordinator
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a new agency aimed at driving Nigeria's digital health transformation, and appointed Dr Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
The Presidency disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the new office will operate under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and serve as a central platform for coordinating Nigeria's digital health agenda.
"The NHTDAO will serve as a meta-level national platform for coordinating the country's digital-health agenda," the statement said.
The Presidency explained that the office is not intended to replace the functions of existing health institutions and agencies but rather to strengthen coordination among them.
"It will reinforce, not replace, the existing statutory functions of relevant departments and agencies. It will also harmonise and empower public and private institutions across the health system, set the standards that connect them, and operationalise the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025," the statement added.
Dr Adigwe, who currently serves as Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), was cited for his contributions to science, innovation and technology-driven healthcare interventions.
According to the Presidency, Adigwe has spearheaded several landmark initiatives, including the coordination of a N300 million nanotechnology grant and an AFREXIMBank-funded project that established Africa's first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Training Facility.
The statement further noted that he led the development of the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant for the health sector, described as the largest in Africa within the thematic area.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adigwe also gained international recognition for conducting what the Presidency described as the world's first analysis debunking claims surrounding the Covid Organics preparation.
To provide strategic direction and oversight for the new office, President Tinubu approved the constitution of a steering committee co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Olaniyi Yusuf.
Other members include Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Kachollom Daju; Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu; and representatives from key health institutions and the six geopolitical zones.
The President expressed confidence that the establishment of the NHTDAO would accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven healthcare system.
"The President expects NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration," the statement said.
The creation of the office marks another step in the Federal Government's efforts to modernise healthcare delivery through technology, data integration and improved coordination across the country's health sector.