The Federal Government is laying the groundwork for a robust digital health infrastructure that will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s healthcare system, enhancing service delivery, policy formulation, and disease surveillance across the country. Dr. Leke Ojewale, Senior Technical Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health on Digital Health, highlighted these plans during a capacity-building workshop on AI for Public Health held in Abuja. Organised by Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact and Development (AI4SID) in partnership with key health agencies, the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of AI technologies and promote their safe, responsible application in healthcare.
Ojewale explained that the Federal Ministry of Health, through its Nigerian Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), is building a unified framework for AI deployment in the healthcare ecosystem. “We are building the NDHA to ensure all AI tools in health plug into a single system. Registries for clients, facilities, and healthcare workers form the backbone of this framework,” he said, noting that these registries are crucial for identifying patients, tracking care, and monitoring service delivery. A key component, the Health Information Exchange, will enable hospitals and providers to share data securely, creating unified digital health records that support AI-driven diagnostics and treatment while safeguarding patient information.
Dr. Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West African Institute of Public Health, described AI as transformative, emphasising that it complements rather than replaces human expertise. “Those who refuse to adapt risk losing relevance. AI must be a partner, not a threat,” he said, highlighting its potential to drive economic recovery, talent retention, and innovation.
Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, added that AI could address Nigeria’s diagnostic, logistical, and disease surveillance challenges, enhancing outbreak detection, personalised medicine, and resource allocation. He stressed the importance of human oversight to maintain accountability and public trust.
Dr. Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of AI4SID, explained that the organisation is advancing AI for social good, focusing on health, education, and gender inclusion. The workshop brought together professionals from ministries, NCDC, and the Primary Health Care Development Agency to co-create frameworks for ethical and safe AI implementation. AI4SID has also launched an AI for Social Good Hub in Abuja to foster cross-sector collaboration between health and technology experts. “AI can help Nigeria leapfrog challenges in health, education, and climate resilience. Collaboration, people-centric policies, and responsible innovation are key,” Kakanfo said.
The workshop forms part of preparations for Nigeria’s first National AI in Health Conference, slated for May 2026 in Abuja, which will unveil strategies and frameworks guiding AI integration into the nation’s healthcare sector.
