The Federal Government has commenced plans to integrate Nigeria’s digital identity system into the healthcare sector as part of ongoing reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
The initiative is expected to improve healthcare delivery by connecting patients’ digital identities with medical records, health insurance enrolment, disease surveillance systems and other essential health services nationwide.
The renewed effort was highlighted during 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 discussions followed a presentation on the opportunities created by the newly signed National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2025.
Prof. Pate described the new legislation as a major milestone that provides the legal framework for a secure and reliable digital identity ecosystem capable of driving Nigeria’s digital health transformation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, integrating trusted digital identity into healthcare will eliminate challenges associated with patient identification, improve continuity of medical care and enable seamless electronic medical records across health facilities.
He added that the initiative would also strengthen disease surveillance, enhance health planning, support evidence-based policy decisions and ensure the security of patients’ health data.
Pate noted that linking digital identity with the National Health Insurance programme would improve enrolment and beneficiary verification, thereby expanding financial protection for millions of Nigerians and accelerating progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
He revealed that revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres across the country currently record about 45 million patient visits every quarter, stressing that a trusted digital identity system would improve efficiency in managing patient records and healthcare delivery.
To ensure smooth implementation, the minister directed the immediate establishment of a joint technical working group made up of officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Health Data and Digital Health Coordination Office, relevant health agencies and the National Identity Management Commission.
The committee will be responsible for coordinating implementation, monitoring progress and developing performance dashboards to support data-driven decision-making within the health sector.
Pate also emphasised that the digital identity programme must be inclusive, ensuring that persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups have equal access to healthcare services.
Speaking earlier, NIMC Director-General Coker-Odusote said the newly enacted NIMC Act provides the legal backing for secure digital authentication, interoperability and trusted digital services across government institutions.
She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to provide the digital identity infrastructure needed to support ongoing healthcare reforms.
According to her, the partnership reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven healthcare system capable of providing equitable healthcare services to all Nigerians.
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