Source: Zainab Adewale

Cross panel session focus on health investment

At the 2025 edition of the Insights Learning Forum (ILF) held in Abuja, Nigerian health and policy experts called on the government to prioritise local partnerships, incentivise private sector innovators, and invest directly in digital health infrastructure—especially at the primary healthcare (PHC) level.

The panel session, titled “Building a Thriving Digital Health Ecosystem Through Local Investment and Partnerships”, brought together a cross-section of thought leaders in digital health, including:

• Gafar Alawode, CEO, Development Governance International
• Amina Baloni, Former Commissioner for Health, Kaduna State
• Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programmes, eHealth Africa
• Akinyemi Atobatele, Principal Partner, Africa Hub for Innovation and Development
• Lauretta Akin-John, Vaccines Programme, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Nigeria

The session was moderated by David Akpan, Deputy Director of Program and Partnerships at eHealth Africa.

Bridging Digital Health with Grassroots Realities

Opening the discussion, Mrs. Amina Baloni underscored the importance of aligning digital tools with real-world conditions. She said many PHCs still grapple with inadequate electricity and internet access, making it essential to develop offline-friendly and low-resource-compatible solutions.

“At the PHC level, many facilities don’t even have electricity or internet. There’s a need for developers to create offline-friendly tools that can still function in low-resource settings,” — Amina Baloni

She emphasised co-creation as a non-negotiable part of successful digital health design. Tech developers, she argued, must work with frontline health workers and local communities to ensure their tools meet the actual needs on the ground.

Mrs. Baloni also cited a failed electronic medical records (EMR) project in Kaduna that collapsed due to cost barriers and lack of government support.

Digital Health Needs Institutions, Not Just Infrastructure

Mr. Gafar Alawode stressed that Nigeria’s digital health landscape suffers from weak institutional frameworks, particularly at the state level. Without dedicated units in ministries and health agencies, the ecosystem remains fragmented and under-regulated.

“The government has to say: this is our problem—and then ask for support. Without that clarity, tech companies are solving problems no one has defined,” — Gafar Alawode

He argued for building strong, cross-sectoral coordination between health, ICT, and governance institutions, noting that leadership—not competence—is what’s missing. Nigeria has successfully coordinated health security responses in the past and can replicate such efforts for digital health if the will exists.

Partnerships Rooted in Vision and Mindset

Ota Akhigbe of eHealth Africa shifted the focus to the quality of partnerships. She argued that building a digital health ecosystem in Nigeria requires collaborative mindsets over competitive ones, and a shared long-term vision among stakeholders.

“No one can do it alone. We need to come together to complement each other’s strengths,” — Ota Akhigbe

She emphasised that lasting digital health impact must grow from leadership that values synergy over silos, and partnerships that go beyond short-term donor metrics.

What Comes Next?

As Nigeria faces urgent demands to digitalise its health system amid growing burdens on PHCs, the forum’s message was clear: local solutions must lead the way—but only if the government creates an enabling environment.

Experts called for:

• Tax incentives and funding support for health tech startups
• Offline-compatible technologies for low-resource settings
• Institutional leadership within health ministries and boards
• Inclusive co-creation with frontline workers and communities