The Federal Government has intensified efforts to modernise Nigeria’s healthcare system by integrating digital health identity into ongoing health sector reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. The initiative is expected to strengthen patient identification, improve healthcare delivery, expand health insurance coverage and enhance disease surveillance by connecting trusted digital identities with healthcare services nationwide.
The renewed push followed a strategic meeting between the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
The meeting reviewed opportunities created by the newly enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2025, which provides the legal framework for secure digital identity services across government institutions. Pate described the legislation as a landmark reform capable of accelerating Nigeria’s digital health transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, integrating digital health identity into the healthcare system will eliminate gaps in patient identification and improve continuity of medical care across health facilities.
He explained that the initiative will enable interoperable electronic medical records, making it easier for healthcare providers to access accurate patient information regardless of location. The system is also expected to strengthen disease surveillance, improve healthcare planning and support evidence-based policymaking while ensuring that citizens’ health information remains secure.
Pate noted that the initiative will enhance enrolment and beneficiary verification under the National Health Insurance programme, expanding financial protection for millions of Nigerians.
He added that the reforms would play a significant role in helping the country achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030. According to the minister, Nigeria’s revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres currently record approximately 45 million patient visits every quarter, making a trusted digital identity system essential for improving patient management and service delivery.
To accelerate implementation, Pate directed the immediate establishment of a joint technical working group involving officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Health Data and Digital Health Coordination Office, relevant health agencies and NIMC.
The committee will coordinate implementation, monitor progress and develop performance dashboards to support data-driven decision-making across the health sector. The minister also stressed that the digital health identity programme must remain inclusive, ensuring that persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are not excluded from accessing healthcare services.
Speaking during the meeting, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the new NIMC Act provides the legal framework for secure digital authentication, interoperability and trusted digital services across public institutions.
She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Health to provide the digital identity infrastructure needed to support ongoing healthcare reforms. According to her, the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s whole-of-government approach to building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven healthcare system capable of delivering equitable and quality health services to all Nigerians.
