Stakeholders in the health sector have called for a unified national framework to accelerate artificial intelligence deployment across Nigeria’s healthcare system and improve service delivery, patient outcomes and efficiency.
Dr Kunle Kakanfo, Managing Director of the Africa Hub for Innovation and Development, made the call on Monday in Abuja during a national health technology summit focused on innovation.
He said standardised evaluation metrics would enable indigenous innovators to move artificial intelligence tools from prototype stages to full operational deployment, strengthening local innovation and improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
Kakanfo added that partnerships with global academic institutions and development partners were expanding local technical capacity, supporting research collaboration and generating evidence to guide the adoption of emerging healthcare technologies.
“Our organisation collaborates closely with regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and international research partners to harmonise digital health innovation pathways across Africa.
“The goal is to connect researchers, startups, and public agencies to drive innovations from evidence generation to full-scale clinical deployment.
“Through strategic partnerships, we are deepening capacity in health economics and data science to support better reporting of emerging technology evidence,” he said.
Nkiru Ukor, National Professional Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), said artificial intelligence offered significant opportunities to improve clinical efficiency and patient outcomes across healthcare systems.
Ukor said that clear operational guidelines, including the national telemedicine framework, would provide the necessary structure for deploying digital health tools safely and effectively across Nigeria.
“Establishing shared digital infrastructure enables countries to reduce duplication, lower costs, and deploy innovations across broader public health priorities.
“National frameworks must prioritise patient autonomy, data privacy, transparency, and equitable access so that digital benefits reach every community.
“Interoperable health data systems ensure patient records connect seamlessly across health centres, maximising the value of AI-assisted diagnostic tools.
“A well-structured national framework guides strategic investments and creates an environment where digital solutions can establish and scale effectively.
“Building resilient digital foundations allows healthcare systems to integrate new applications smoothly without rebuilding underlying architectures,” she added.
Dr Leke Ojewale, Senior Technical Adviser to the President on Digital Health, said Nigeria was well positioned to lead digital health innovation across Africa.
Ojewale said integrating smart digital tools into primary healthcare centres could improve disease surveillance, patient triage and maternal healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities nationwide.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remained committed to developing a digital network connecting patient data across Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to him, a clear national direction will encourage local developers to create digital health solutions tailored to Nigeria’s specific healthcare needs and priorities.
“A national AI framework protects citizens by establishing rigorous standards for safety, data privacy, and clinical accountability.
“Developing local talent and data systems ensures that Nigeria and Africa actively create digital health solutions rather than relying solely on foreign tools,” he added.
Ms Marelize Gorgens, Program Lead for Digital and AI for Human Capital at the World Bank, emphasised the importance of prioritising measurable health system outcomes.
Gorgens said digital technologies must be assessed according to their ability to address specific healthcare challenges efficiently, affordably and sustainably across different communities.
She commended Nigeria’s adoption of the National Digital Health Architecture, emphasising that effective interoperability remained essential for achieving the full benefits of digital healthcare.
According to her, moving from isolated pilot projects to integrated national systems required clear technical specifications, consistent data collection and coordinated implementation across healthcare institutions.
She emphasised that artificial intelligence applications delivered better results when integrated into clearly defined and standardised clinical service workflows, ensuring technologies supported existing healthcare processes effectively.
Gorgens added that development partners remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s sustainable digital foundations, including reliable electricity and connectivity infrastructure, to strengthen healthcare technology deployment nationwide.(NAN)
