Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal Government has raised concerns over inconsistencies in Nigeria’s health statistics, calling for a harmonised national data system that will improve the accuracy, reliability and coordination of information used to formulate healthcare policies and monitor the country’s health sector performance.
The move is aimed at addressing discrepancies arising from multiple data sources, different reporting methods and fragmented information systems across government institutions, healthcare facilities and development partners.
Reliable health statistics are essential for determining the country’s healthcare needs, tracking disease outbreaks, measuring progress in maternal and child health, monitoring immunisation programmes and allocating resources to areas where they are most urgently required.
The government’s renewed focus on harmonising health information reflects growing recognition that effective healthcare planning depends not only on funding and medical infrastructure but also on the quality of information available to decision-makers.
FG Seeks Consistency in Nigeria’s Health Data
Nigeria’s health sector relies on information collected through several channels, including routine reports from healthcare facilities, national surveys, administrative records and international estimates.
However, these sources can produce different figures because of variations in their methodologies, geographical coverage, reporting periods and data collection procedures.
Such differences can make it difficult for policymakers, researchers and development partners to establish a consistent picture of the country’s healthcare situation.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has previously acknowledged these challenges in its State of Health of the Nation Report 2024.
The report identified fragmentation among population-based surveys, weaknesses in routine health information systems and differences in data quality as significant obstacles to effective health sector monitoring.
It also highlighted challenges involving outdated health facility registers, inadequate information technology infrastructure and limited capacity for managing health information, particularly in rural and remote communities.
These challenges have strengthened calls for a more coordinated approach to collecting, analysing and reporting health statistics across Nigeria.
Fragmented Information Systems Complicate Healthcare Planning
Nigeria’s health information architecture includes several systems designed to capture different aspects of healthcare delivery.
One important platform is the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), which serves as a major tool for collecting and managing routine health information from healthcare facilities.
The system supports the National Health Management Information System and provides information used to monitor service delivery and health programmes.
However, the Federal Ministry of Health has acknowledged that weaknesses in reporting completeness, data quality and coordination continue to affect the reliability of some routine health statistics.
The 2024 national health report also identified fragmented financing and supply chain information, alongside difficulties accessing timely data from facilities in underserved communities.
These gaps can affect the government’s ability to accurately assess healthcare needs, identify emerging challenges and determine whether public investments are producing measurable improvements.
The harmonisation initiative is therefore important for establishing greater consistency in how health information is collected, validated, interpreted and used.
Government Develops Multi-Source Health Data Platform
Nigeria has already taken steps towards improving access to comparable health statistics through the Multi-Source Data Analytics and Triangulation (MSDAT) platform developed by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The platform provides a consolidated view of important health indicators drawn from different information sources.
According to the ministry, MSDAT allows users to compare health statistics across three major categories: routine health information, national surveys and global estimates.
This approach is particularly important because different sources may produce different figures for the same health indicator.
Rather than treating every difference as an error, the platform provides an opportunity to examine the underlying methodologies and understand the reasons for variations.
Its coverage includes important areas such as reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, mortality, immunisation, malaria, HIV and nutrition.
The platform is designed to support evidence-based decision-making by making relevant health information more accessible to policymakers and other stakeholders.
However, its effectiveness will depend on the quality of the information supplied, regular updates and the ability of institutions to maintain consistent reporting standards.
National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office to Support Coordination
The Federal Government has also established an institutional framework to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s digital health and information systems.
On June 26, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO) and appointed Dr Obi Adigwe as its pioneer National Coordinator.
According to a statement published by the State House, the office is expected to coordinate Nigeria’s digital health agenda, harmonise activities across public and private institutions and support the implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture.
The office is also expected to establish standards that will improve connections between different health information systems.
Its establishment is significant because several electronic medical record systems currently operate independently across healthcare facilities, making the exchange of information difficult.
In September 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare inaugurated the steering committee of the NHTDAO to advance the implementation of the government’s digital health objectives.
At the meeting, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasised the importance of collaboration and standardisation in improving the country’s digital health infrastructure.
He also highlighted the need to address fragmentation among electronic medical record systems and establish minimum standards for digital solutions used by healthcare facilities.
The ministry explained that better coordination would improve interoperability and support more efficient healthcare delivery.
Why Accurate Health Statistics Matter
The importance of harmonising Nigeria’s health statistics extends beyond administrative coordination.
Accurate information plays a central role in determining how government resources are distributed and whether healthcare interventions are reaching the people who need them.
For example, reliable maternal mortality statistics can help authorities identify areas where pregnant women face greater risks and where emergency obstetric services require additional investment.
Similarly, accurate immunisation figures can help health authorities identify communities with low vaccination coverage and strengthen interventions against preventable diseases.
In disease surveillance, timely and consistent information can help authorities identify emerging outbreaks, monitor transmission patterns and coordinate responses.
Conflicting statistics can complicate these responsibilities by creating uncertainty about the scale of public health challenges.
For Nigeria, where access to healthcare remains uneven across geographical and economic groups, dependable data is particularly important for identifying inequalities and directing interventions towards underserved populations.
It can also strengthen accountability by enabling citizens, researchers and development partners to assess government performance using credible information.
Challenges That Could Affect the Harmonisation Process
Although the government’s objective is important, establishing a unified national health information system will require sustained investment and cooperation across different levels of government.
Nigeria operates a federal healthcare structure involving federal, state and local government institutions, alongside private healthcare providers and development partners.
Each group has different responsibilities and information management arrangements.
Bringing these systems together will require common reporting standards, compatible technology and clear institutional responsibilities.
Infrastructure remains another major concern.
Some healthcare facilities, particularly those in rural communities, experience unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity and shortages of trained personnel responsible for maintaining health records.
Without addressing these challenges, a national data harmonisation programme could struggle to achieve comprehensive coverage.
There is also the question of data protection.
As more healthcare information becomes digitally connected, authorities will need to strengthen safeguards against unauthorised access, misuse and exposure of patients’ confidential information.
A reliable national system must therefore balance accessibility for authorised health planning purposes with the protection of individual medical records.
International Implications of Better Health Information
Nigeria’s efforts to improve health data management also have implications for its international health commitments.
The country works with international institutions, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Bank, on programmes involving disease prevention, maternal and child health, immunisation and healthcare financing.
These partnerships depend on credible information to measure progress, identify gaps and determine whether interventions are achieving their objectives.
Consistent national statistics can also improve Nigeria’s ability to report progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal Three, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Improved data management could strengthen the country’s participation in regional and international health initiatives by making national indicators more comparable and reliable.
However, international estimates and national statistics may continue to differ where their methodologies or reference periods are not identical.
The priority should therefore be to improve transparency, explain methodological differences and establish agreed sources for individual health indicators.
What Happens Next?
The Federal Government’s existing digital health reforms provide an institutional foundation for addressing inconsistencies in health information.
The National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office is expected to support coordination, while the MSDAT platform provides an existing mechanism for comparing information from multiple sources.
The next major challenge will be translating these initiatives into practical improvements across healthcare facilities and government institutions.
This will require stronger reporting systems, improved digital infrastructure, regular data validation, training for health information personnel and effective coordination between federal and state authorities.
Nigeria’s 67th National Council on Health, scheduled for November 16 to 20, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, also identifies data-driven decision-making and digital health among its key discussion areas.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for health sector stakeholders to consider measures for improving healthcare delivery, strengthening coordination and addressing implementation challenges.
Ultimately, the success of the harmonisation effort will depend on whether Nigeria can establish a dependable system that produces consistent, timely and accessible health information.
For millions of Nigerians who depend on public and private healthcare services, better statistics should translate into more effective planning, improved resource allocation and stronger healthcare outcomes.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
- Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare – State of Health of the Nation Report 2024.
- State House, Abuja – Presidential approval of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office, June 26, 2026.
- Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare – NHTDAO Steering Committee inauguration, September 2026.
- Federal Ministry of Health – Multi-Source Data Analytics and Triangulation (MSDAT) platform.
- National Council on Health – 67th National Council on Health, 2026.
