Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health and technology sectors are advocating for the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country’s primary healthcare system. This push aims to enhance service delivery, bolster disease surveillance, lower healthcare costs, and increase access to quality care. The call for AI adoption was made during a panel session organized by Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact and Development, themed “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Primary Healthcare in Nigeria.”
During the session, participants underscored that while AI presents substantial opportunities for improving Primary Health Centres (PHCs), several structural, regulatory, and capacity challenges must be addressed to ensure its effective integration. They acknowledged that the success of AI in healthcare will rely heavily on strong regulatory frameworks, dependable data systems, infrastructure investment, workforce capacity building, and sustained public trust.
Dr. Cornelius Ohonsi, Programme Manager at the Nigeria AI Collective, criticized the fragmented approach to AI deployment in the nation and emphasized the necessity for integrated systems and transparent governance structures. “If we don’t address these issues, no magic will happen in the PHCs,” he asserted. “We talk about data in silos, and we are not yet there in terms of regulatory frameworks or guiding principles for AI in healthcare.”
Dr. Kemisola Agbaoye, Director of Programmes at Nigeria Health Watch, highlighted that poor data quality, infrastructure deficits, limited workforce skills, and lack of public trust serve as significant barriers to AI utilization in healthcare. She stressed that functional AI systems cannot thrive without reliable and sufficient data. “When I think about primary healthcare workers in rural areas who have little or no understanding of what AI is or how it can support their work, it becomes clear that skills are a major issue,” she remarked. “When communities are told that their health workers will rely on AI tools, a lot of trust still needs to be built.”
Agbaoye acknowledged the increasing number of AI-driven health solutions but questioned Nigeria’s preparedness to implement them on a large scale. “Many innovations and case studies are emerging, but are we truly ready for AI in healthcare? Not yet. However, we are making progress,” she stated.
Dr. Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact and Development, noted that AI presents an opportunity for Nigeria to overcome persistent challenges in its healthcare system. He pointed out that AI is already being utilized for task-shifting, clinical decision-making, and more effective deployment of limited health personnel. “We are seeing AI being used for resource planning, predictive analysis to forecast disease outbreaks and support surveillance,” Kakanfo explained. “AI-powered chatbots are also being deployed for triage, helping patients identify symptoms and assisting health workers in prioritizing care.”
Kakanfo highlighted that global trends indicate rapid growth in AI adoption, with the AI market projected to reach about $1.3 trillion by 2032. He noted that Nigeria’s health and digital technology market is already valued at over $1.5 billion, signaling strong potential for AI-driven health solutions.
In his remarks, Abdul Yahaya, Deputy Director of Global Health Informatics at eHealth Africa (eHA), indicated that Nigeria currently ranks low on the AI readiness index but is gradually making progress. He urged the government to invest in digital public infrastructure and create an enabling environment for innovation. “While our scores are still low in areas such as infrastructure, governance, technology, and capacity readiness, we are heading in the right direction,” Yahaya stated. “Initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and ongoing infrastructure development will help raise our AI readiness.”
Yahaya emphasized that AI could play a crucial role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly given the heavy workloads on community health workers. “AI can help scale what already works by replicating effective interventions across thousands or even millions of patients,” he noted. “If we ignore AI and technology, meeting UHC targets will be extremely difficult.”
Dr. OtseOgorry, Country Director of the Palladium Data FI Project, underlined the importance of effective governance for responsible AI use in healthcare. He pointed out that Nigeria currently lacks a national framework dedicated to the regulation of AI. “The government needs clear AI regulations,” Ogorry said. “There are global standards, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which could serve as a starting point for Nigeria in developing its own context-specific AI regulatory framework.”
The discussion on AI in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system underscores a critical juncture for the country. As stakeholders call for better integration of technology, the path forward will require a coordinated effort to build trust, capacity, and infrastructure to transform healthcare delivery effectively.
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