Digital tools alone cannot fix Nigeria’s health system — Experts
Experts in the health and technology sectors have warned that digital innovations alone cannot fix Nigeria’s healthcare system, urging governments and development partners to prioritise sustainable financing and institutional ownership.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Experts warn that digital innovations alone cannot fix Nigeria’s healthcare system, urging governments and development partners to prioritise sustainable financing and institutional ownership.
Experts are saying that just using digital tools alone won't fix Nigeria's healthcare system. They think governments and other helpers should focus on making sure healthcare gets the money it needs and that the people in charge of healthcare are stable and reliable.
Analysis
A $60B Vote of Confidence
The Insights Learning Forum (ILF) 2026, eHealth Africa’s flagship digital health conference held in Abuja, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, development partners, technology experts, investors, researchers, and representatives of government institutions from Nigeria and other countries to discuss the future of digital health and identify practical solutions for strengthening health systems across Africa. The two-day forum aimed to provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, showcase innovations, and explore opportunities for collaboration and investment in digital health.
Why Cursor?
Experts in the health and technology sectors have warned that digital innovations alone cannot fix Nigeria’s healthcare system, urging governments and development partners to prioritise sustainable financing and institutional ownership. Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programmes at eHealth Africa, made this call during the opening session of the ILF 2026. He emphasized that the success of digital health initiatives should no longer be measured by the number of projects launched but by their ability to remain functional and effective in the long term.
The Road Ahead
The call for sustainable financing and institutional ownership highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to healthcare in Nigeria. This approach must address the systemic issues that hinder the effectiveness of digital innovations. By prioritizing these factors, governments and development partners can create an environment that supports the long-term success of digital health initiatives and ultimately improves healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.
Key points
- Digital innovations alone cannot fix Nigeria's healthcare system.
- Experts urge governments and development partners to prioritize sustainable financing and institutional ownership.
- Sustainable financing and institutional ownership are crucial for the long-term success of digital health initiatives.
- A comprehensive approach to healthcare in Nigeria must address systemic issues hindering the effectiveness of digital innovations.
If governments and development partners prioritize sustainable financing and institutional ownership, Nigeria's healthcare system could see significant improvements in the long term, with digital innovations playing a key role in strengthening health systems across Africa.
If the call for sustainable financing and institutional ownership is ignored, Nigeria's healthcare system may continue to struggle with systemic issues, hindering the effectiveness of digital innovations and ultimately leading to poor healthcare outcomes for Nigerians.
