Nigeria Expands Telemedicine Access to Bridge Healthcare Inequality Gap
Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government is advancing large-scale investment in telemedicine and digital health systems to expand affordable healthcare access and drive progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across Nigeria.
Officials announced the renewed commitment on Thursday at the Nigeria Telehealth Conference 2025 in Abuja, themed “Scaling Telehealth for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: Pathway to Sustainability.”
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said telemedicine is no longer optional but “central to building a modern, equitable and resilient health system.”
“Technology is a catalyst for transforming our health system. Telemedicine bridges workforce gaps and connects rural or under-resourced communities to qualified doctors.”
He explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises digital care frameworks through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative, aimed at strengthening governance, improving quality control, and ensuring accountability in remote care delivery.
However, Salako acknowledged challenges including limited broadband coverage, data protection concerns, and digital literacy gaps, stressing that cross-sector partnerships remain key to effective implementation.
Also speaking, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, highlighted the role of telemedicine during health worker strikes and Covid-19 disruptions.
“Telemedicine proved essential during COVID-19 and remains vital today,”
She added that the FCT has begun rolling out telemedicine booths and remote specialist consultations across PHCs, resulting in a rise in skilled birth attendance from 25% to 102%.
The conference outcomes will feed into a National Telehealth Sustainability Framework expected to be presented to the National Council on Health later this month.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness