FG moves to integrate Digital ID into healthcare, targets UHC by 2030

Nigeria is embarking on a significant reform of its health sector by integrating trusted digital identity into its systems, a move designed to fast-track the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. This initiative is expected to profoundly improve patient care, broaden health insurance enrollment, and enhance disease surveillance across the nation.

The strategy involves linking digital identity with patient records, health insurance enrollment, and service delivery points. This integration aims to eliminate gaps in patient identification, ensure continuity of care, and enable interoperable electronic medical records across various health facilities. The system is also anticipated to strengthen disease surveillance, improve health planning, and support evidence-based decision-making, all while safeguarding citizens' health data.

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integrating trusted digital identity into healthcare will eliminate gaps in patient identification, improve continuity of care and enable interoperable electronic medical records across health facilities.

This renewed push was reinforced 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. Minister Pate highlighted the newly enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2025, as providing the crucial legal foundation for a secure digital identity ecosystem, essential for Nigeria's digital health transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

Minister Pate emphasized that the digital identity initiative must be inclusive, ensuring that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations are not excluded from accessing healthcare services. To accelerate implementation, he directed the immediate formation of a joint technical working group comprising officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Health Data and Digital Health Coordination Office, relevant health agencies, and NIMC. This group will harmonize implementation, monitor progress, and develop performance dashboards for data-driven decision-making.

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The newly enacted NIMC Act provides the legal framework for secure digital authentication, interoperability and trusted digital services across government institutions.