As Nigeria navigates a post-pandemic era, digital health has become a critical pillar for national development. With the healthcare landscape rapidly shifting, market access expert and pharmacist Emmanuel Oluwagbade is at the forefront of a growing movement to democratise health access through technology.

In a recent interview, Oluwagbade described Nigeria as being at a crucial turning point. Telemedicine, mobile health platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly central to health delivery in the country. While infrastructure challenges remain, Nigeria has the potential to bypass legacy healthcare systems by adopting scalable digital solutions tailored to local needs.

AI is already playing a growing role in diagnostics, particularly in radiology, where it assists in early disease detection. Generative AI is simplifying routine tasks such as answering patient inquiries and providing dosage recommendations. AI is also gaining ground in preventive medicine, with applications in lifestyle management, nutritional support and mental health screening. Drawing on examples across Africa, Oluwagbade noted that multilingual AI tools have improved clinical engagement, showing the potential for similar success in Nigeria.

A promising area is the development of Agentic AI, which refers to autonomous systems that can make decisions within defined limits. Oluwagbade believes this technology could transform healthcare delivery in areas with few healthcare professionals. Such systems could manage appointments, monitor patient behaviour, adjust treatment plans and coordinate emergency responses without human input.

Through his platform Greenin, Oluwagbade is exploring these innovations in the context of nutrition. The app uses AI to recommend meal plans based on user health data, local food availability and dietary goals. Designed with Nigerian users in mind, the app functions offline, consumes minimal data and works on basic smartphones.

Nevertheless, challenges persist. Data security is a top concern given the sensitivity of medical records. AI bias is another risk, particularly when tools are trained on datasets that do not reflect Nigeria’s population. Infrastructure gaps, especially between urban and rural areas, also pose barriers to equitable access.

Despite these issues, Nigeria’s mobile phone penetration, currently over 85 per cent, offers a solid foundation for mobile health solutions. Tools that function offline, provide voice assistance in local languages and use simple interfaces are already helping close the access gap for underserved populations.

The regulatory landscape remains a major hurdle. While national initiatives like the Digital Health Strategy offer some direction, there is a clear need for comprehensive, AI-specific health regulations. Oluwagbade advocates for lifecycle governance frameworks that prioritise transparency, ethical use and accountability. He also stressed the importance of explainable AI in health apps, ensuring that users understand the basis for any health advice or recommendations.

Government support has improved through initiatives by agencies such as NiDCOM, but gaps between policy and implementation remain. More consistent funding, improved digital infrastructure, and clear regulatory guidelines are essential to support innovation in health technology.

Looking ahead, Oluwagbade envisions a future where Nigeria develops healthtech solutions that are locally informed and globally scalable. Rather than importing foreign systems that may not reflect local realities, he calls for investments in indigenous innovation that address the country’s specific healthcare challenges.

With the right mix of policy support, infrastructure development and inclusive innovation, Nigeria has the potential to become a leader in health technology for Africa. The digital health revolution is no longer a possibility. It is already underway.