The Federal Government has announced plans to establish 7,000 digital hospitals across Nigeria. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, intends to bring essential healthcare services to an estimated 20 million rural dwellers who currently lack adequate access.
The Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, unveiled this initiative yesterday, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, during the commissioning of a pilot digital hospital and school in the Ibwa 2 community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of technology reach all citizens, irrespective of their location.
“Nigeria has decided to invest in 7,000 of these digital healthcare facilities,” stated Dr. Tijani. “There are about 20 million people who cannot benefit from what we that live in the city or those who are nearer to the city are currently enjoying. Out of that 20 million people, over 80 percent of them are from the northern part of Nigeria.
This is why Mr. President has demanded that we must put money into ensuring that this opportunity is not only available to those in the urban area but every part of the north must be covered with this equipment, so that we can give this opportunity to our people regardless of where they find themselves.”
This significant project is a collaboration with Globacom Nigeria and Huawei Technologies Nigeria and promises to deliver a range of digital services.
During the pilot launch, Dr. Tijani conducted online conversations with a medical doctor in Abuja and a teacher in Lagos, showcasing the potential of these digital facilities to connect remote communities with vital expertise.
Furthermore, the Minister announced that 125 smartphones, along with free WiFi, have been provided to the Ibwa 2 community through the village head to facilitate access to the services offered by the digital hospital and school. He also assured that all 7,000 projects are slated for completion by the end of the year.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance healthcare access, improve patient care through timely and accurate diagnoses, and streamline medical processes, marking a major leap forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation of the healthcare sector.
