In a bid to integrate healthcare into Nigeria’s digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday commissioned a full-scale e-Health project at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, Ondo State
The initiative, described as transformative by industry insiders, signals the Commission’s deepening commitment to leveraging technology for public good, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare where access and efficiency remain urgent concerns.
Delivering his address at the commissioning ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made it clear that the project is not just about infrastructure but about shaping a future where geography no longer determines the quality of medical care.
“This commissioning attests to our collective effort to harness the power of ICT to improve and revolutionise the health sector in a way that truly serves our people,” Dr. Maida said, adding that e-Health holds dual value: improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the broader digital economy by keeping citizens healthy and productive.
The facility, now outfitted with digital tools for diagnostics, treatment, and health records management, is expected to cut wait times, reduce medical errors, and improve patient outcomes all through timely, data-driven decisions.
“This technology empowers our doctors and health professionals to offer prompt, accurate diagnoses and treatment, which will ultimately translate into better experiences for patients and improved health outcomes for the wider community,” he noted.
But beyond the physical infrastructure lies a bigger vision the deliberate digitisation of the nation’s health sector, in tandem with NCC’s mandate to expand Nigeria’s digital footprint.
According to Dr. Maida, the success of the Akure project stems from robust collaboration between the Commission, technical experts, and relevant government stakeholders. “What we are witnessing today is a model that can and should be replicated across the country,” he said, describing the project as proof of what can be achieved through purposeful partnership.
Sources within the Commission say this is only the beginning. Plans are underway to extend similar e-Health interventions to underserved areas, ensuring equity in access to quality healthcare services.
Dr. Maida closed with a note of gratitude to all partners who made the project possible. “It is through collaborative efforts like this that we will continue to drive innovation and meaningful change in our country,” he said before formally commissioning the facility.
With the new hub now operational, the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, joins a growing list of health institutions aligning with Nigeria’s digital health vision; one where innovation is not a privilege but a standard, and where every Nigerian, regardless of location, has a shot at timely and quality medical care.
