FG seeks N500bn investment to scale healthcare

By Precious Mark

The Federal Government has announced an ambitious drive to accelerate digital health transformation, calling for an estimated N500 billion investment over the next five years to build an integrated national health system and advance Universal Health Coverage.

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this in an official statement released by the ministry on Friday, following the opening of the 6th Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS 2026) held in Abuja.

Dr. Salako made it clear that the government is moving away from small-scale trials toward a unified nationwide rollout.

“The country’s focus is no longer on proving digital health solutions through isolated pilot projects, but on scaling nationally integrated systems that deliver measurable impact for every Nigerian,” the Minister stated.

Central to this transformation is the National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), a blueprint that has already gained unanimous regional backing to streamline patient data and data-sharing across the federation.

“The National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), endorsed by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, provides the framework for harmonising health information systems, improving interoperability and enabling a shared health record to strengthen continuity of care, planning and evidence-based decision-making across the health sector,” Dr. Salako noted.

Sharing progress updates, the Minister revealed that an internal assessment of Nigeria’s 79 Federal Tertiary Hospitals showed an average 74.5% adoption rate of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).

He also highlighted that digital logistics platforms are now active across all 774 Local Government Areas to track and manage vaccine supply chains.

However, Dr. Salako did not hide the severe structural bottlenecks facing grassroots health facilities, particularly in rural communities where basic utilities remain a luxury.

“Significant structural gaps remain, including inadequate electricity and internet connectivity at many Primary Healthcare Centres, limited interoperability among legacy systems, shortages in digital health skills and continued dependence on donor funding,” the Minister acknowledged, adding that “43% of Primary Healthcare Centres lack electricity, while about 60% of rural facilities have no internet connectivity.”

To close these gaps, the Minister of State urged development partners, state governments, tech innovators, and private investors to pool resources into the NDHA framework.

He specifically made an unconventional appeal to the National Pension Commission and Pension Fund Administrators to look toward digital health infrastructure as “a strategic long-term investment capable of strengthening health insurance, improving efficiency and delivering better health outcomes for Nigerians.”