Nigeria’s healthcare technology landscape is fragmented, requires clear guidelines for innovations – Joseph

Aniekan Joseph is a public policy enthusiast with a robust business development and public health background. His most recent role as a Resource Mobilization Consultant at UNICEF centred on developing the resource mobilization strategy for the National Malaria Control Programme in South Sudan, expanding solutions to reach everyone anywhere,in this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he spoke, a.ong other issues, how economic instability in Nigeria can significantly affect resource mobilisation for public health sector. Excerpts:

Your work at UNICEF involved developing a resource mobilization strategy for the National Malaria Control Programme in South Sudan. Given Nigeria’s similar health challenges, how do you see the lessons learned from that experience as applicable to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare funding and infrastructure, particularly in combating diseases like malaria?

My experience developing a resource mobilization strategy for South Sudan’s National Malaria Control Program provided key insights into strengthening healthcare funding and infrastructure, particularly in combating malaria. Strategic partnerships were crucial—collaboration between governments, NGOs, the private sector, and community leaders helped mobilize resources effectively. A similar multi-sectoral approach in Nigeria could enhance funding efficiency and program reach. Additionally, while external aid is valuable, sustainable healthcare financing depends on domestic resource mobilization. Mechanisms like health-related taxes and public-private partnerships could provide long-term funding stability. Beyond funding, investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and supply chain management is essential for effective malaria prevention and treatment. Community engagement also plays a critical role—grassroots health education and behavioural change initiatives were key to success in South Sudan and could be equally impactful in Nigeria. Lastly, strengthening health information systems is vital for data-driven decision-making, ensuring efficient resource allocation and continuous program improvement. Adapting these strategies to Nigeria’s unique healthcare landscape can pave the way for a more resilient and effective malaria response.

You focused on expanding solutions to reach ‘everyone, anywhere‘ in South Sudan. In a Nigerian context, where access to healthcare remains a significant challenge, especially in rural areas, what innovative approaches do you propose to ensure equitable healthcare delivery?

Expanding healthcare access in Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved areas, requires innovative, scalable solutions. At LifeBank, we launched OneBox, an AI-powered inventory management system that helps primary healthcare centres maintain a steady supply of essential medicines, minimizing stockouts and ensuring timely patient care. Today, OneBox actively supports care centres across multiple states, with a rapidly growing network of facilities benefiting from its efficiency. We leverage emerging technologies to further strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery, ensuring that even the most remote care centres receive life-saving medical products when they need them. By embedding these solutions into Nigeria’s healthcare framework, we are helping to close critical supply gaps and expand access to quality care nationwide. Economic instability in Nigeria can significantly affect resource mobilization for public health. Nigeria’s economic instability has a direct impact on resource mobilization for public health initiatives, limiting government revenue, discouraging donor funding, and increasing competition for scarce resources. Budget constraints often lead to service disruptions, while a weakened health system—due to brain drain, supply shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure—makes it even harder to mobilize resources effectively. Additionally, economic downturns exacerbate poverty and vulnerability, increasing the demand for public health services just as funding becomes more constrained. To build resilience against economic shocks, the government must prioritize domestic resource mobilization through innovative financing mechanisms such as health taxes and public-private partnerships. Diversifying funding sources, strengthening health infrastructure, and implementing counter-cyclical policies that protect public health spending during downturns are also crucial. Fostering private-sector collaboration, ensuring transparency in fund management, and promoting a culture of prevention can further bolster the sustainability of public health programs. By integrating these strategies, Nigeria can safeguard its progress toward Universal Health Coverage, even in times of economic uncertainty.

At LifeBank, you are spearheading growth initiatives and fostering innovative product development. How do you see the role of technology and innovation in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, and what specific opportunities do you believe are most promising?

Technology plays a crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, and at LifeBank, we leverage innovation to improve access, efficiency, and reliability in medical supply distribution. By integrating AI, data analytics, and smart logistics into our operations, we ensure that essential medical resources like blood, oxygen, and pharmaceuticals reach care centres when and where they are needed. Key opportunities for transformation include expanding telemedicine to bridge gaps in rural healthcare, adopting electronic health records (EHRs) for better data management, and using AI-driven insights to improve disease tracking and treatment planning. Additionally, mobile health (mHealth) applications can empower individuals with healthcare information and remote access to professionals. With these advancements, Nigeria has a strong opportunity to strengthen its healthcare system, making it more responsive and accessible to all.

Strategic partnerships are crucial for business growth. In the context of the Nigerian healthcare market, what types of partnerships do you believe are most valuable for organizations like LifeBank, and how can these partnerships contribute to economic development?

Strategic partnerships are essential for driving impact and growth in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. For LifeBank, key partnerships include collaborations with hospitals and clinics to ensure a steady demand for essential supplies, cooperation with government agencies for policy support and expanded reach, and alliances with medical supply vendors to guarantee the availability of affordable and safe products. Additionally, partnerships with global health organizations allow us to leverage our technological capabilities to tackle critical healthcare challenges affecting the populations we serve. Notably, collaborations with financial institutions provide funding for expansion, while partnerships with NGOs and community organizations help extend healthcare access to underserved areas. These partnerships contribute to economic development by creating jobs across healthcare, logistics, and tech sectors, improving access to life-saving medical supplies, and fostering innovation. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and attracting investment further enhances the resilience and sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

You have a background in both international development and healthcare technology. How do you balance the need for rapid business growth with the social impact goals of improving healthcare access in Nigeria?

In balancing rapid business growth with the mission of improving healthcare access in Nigeria, we prioritize a model that ensures both financial sustainability and social impact. Our approach focuses on scaling operations efficiently while maintaining affordability for care centres that serve vulnerable populations. We achieve this by leveraging strategic partnerships, optimizing supply chain operations, and investing in technology-driven solutions that reduce costs and improve accessibility. Additionally, we integrate impact assessment into our business strategy, tracking key healthcare access metrics to ensure that growth directly translates into better patient outcomes. This enables LifeBank to expand sustainably while strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring life-saving medical supplies reach those who need them most.

Given the significant unemployment rate in Nigeria, how can businesses like LifeBank contribute to job creation and economic empowerment, while also addressing critical healthcare needs?

Businesses like LifeBank play a crucial role in job creation and economic empowerment while tackling healthcare challenges in Nigeria. By expanding operations, we directly employ professionals across various sectors—including healthcare, logistics, technology, and administration. Additionally, strengthening our supply chain and logistics network creates opportunities for drivers, warehouse staff, and local suppliers, further stimulating economic activity. Beyond direct employment, LifeBank invests in training and capacity-building programs, equipping healthcare workers and logistics personnel with critical skills. We also foster local business partnerships by sourcing from vendors within our markets, ensuring economic benefits extend beyond our organization. Moreover, by leveraging community health representatives, we not only extend healthcare services to underserved areas but also generate jobs within these communities. These combined efforts enable businesses like LifeBank to drive economic growth while improving healthcare access across Nigeria.

How do you assess the current regulatory environment for healthcare technology in Nigeria, and what changes would you recommend to encourage innovation and growth?

Nigeria’s healthcare technology regulations are still evolving, with increasing recognition of technology’s role in transforming the sector. However, the current framework remains fragmented, lacking clear guidelines for innovations such as telemedicine, AI-driven solutions, and digital health applications. This uncertainty can slow adoption, discourage investment, and hinder growth. To foster innovation, Nigeria needs a more defined and agile regulatory framework that both ensures patient safety and encourages technological advancements. Streamlining approval processes for health-tech solutions will remove bureaucratic delays, while improving digital infrastructure—such as broadband access and electronic health records—will enable wider adoption of healthcare innovations. Additionally, fostering collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and research institutions will drive investment and knowledge-sharing, strengthening the ecosystem. By implementing these changes, Nigeria can create a regulatory environment that accelerates health-tech adoption while safeguarding patient interests.

Nigeria faces numerous economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits. How do you believe your experience in public health and business development can contribute to addressing these broader economic issues?

My experience in public health and business development has shown that healthcare and economic development are deeply interconnected. A healthier population leads to a more productive workforce, reducing absenteeism and increasing overall economic output. Public health initiatives, such as preventive care and disease management, also lower healthcare costs, freeing up resources for investment in other critical sectors. From a business perspective, investing in healthcare innovation creates job opportunities, supports entrepreneurship, and attracts investment into Nigeria’s health sector. By fostering a thriving healthcare industry—through improved supply chains, technology-driven solutions, and strategic partnerships—we can stimulate economic activity while ensuring life-saving services reach the communities that need them most. Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges requires a holistic approach, and integrating healthcare improvements with business growth strategies is a key part of the solution.

What are the biggest challenges facing the Nigerian economy from a public health perspective and how can the public and private sector collaborate to mitigate these challenges?

Nigeria faces several public health challenges that impact economic productivity and well-being. High maternal mortality remains a critical issue, driven by limited access to quality prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric services. Additionally, infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS strain healthcare resources and reduce workforce efficiency. Malnutrition and food insecurity further hinder growth by impairing child development, while inadequate healthcare infrastructure limits access to quality care, especially in rural areas. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to tackling these challenges. Public-private partnerships can drive investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and maternal health services. Expanding access to life-saving interventions like blood supply, oxygen, and emergency obstetric care can help reduce maternal mortality. Joint disease prevention programs, vaccination campaigns, and digital health solutions can also improve healthcare access and outcomes. By working together, both sectors can strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, improve public health, and drive economic growth.

How do you see the role of data and analytics in improving healthcare outcomes and driving economic growth in Nigeria?

Data and analytics can play a transformative role in improving healthcare outcomes and driving Data and analytics are transforming healthcare delivery by enabling smarter decision-making, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes. Reliable health data allows policymakers and healthcare providers to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that high-risk populations receive targeted interventions. Data-driven disease surveillance helps in early detection and rapid response to outbreaks, reducing the risk of widespread infections and their economic consequences. In addition, predictive analytics can optimize supply chain management, ensuring that critical medical supplies reach hospitals when and where they are needed. Personalized healthcare, powered by AI and machine learning, enables proactive disease management, reducing hospital admissions and long-term healthcare costs. The integration of data into Nigeria’s healthcare system not only strengthens service delivery but also attracts investment into health-tech innovations, creating new economic opportunities. By leveraging data and analytics, Nigeria can improve healthcare access, enhance patient outcomes, and drive sustainable economic growth.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing public policy issues that need to be addressed to improve the health and economic well-being of Nigerians?

To improve healthcare and economic well-being, Nigeria must prioritize stronger healthcare funding, equitable access, and a more resilient primary healthcare system. Increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development is crucial, particularly in rural areas where access remains limited. Additionally, reforming healthcare financing—such as expanding health insurance coverage and reducing out-of-pocket costs—can help protect households from financial hardship due to illness. Addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer is also essential, requiring preventive care, early detection, and better treatment options. Strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains to ensure the availability of essential medicines and adopting digital health innovations can further improve service delivery. Lastly, public-private partnerships should be encouraged to bring in investment, technology, and expertise that can help scale healthcare solutions and improve outcomes across the country.

How can the Nigerian government and businesses work together to create a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system that contributes to the overall economy?

A strong and sustainable healthcare system requires effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. The government can encourage private sector investment through clear regulatory frameworks and incentives, while businesses can bring in expertise, funding, and innovative solutions. Public-private partnerships can drive healthcare infrastructure development, expand service delivery, and improve supply chain efficiency. Additionally, businesses can support universal health coverage by offering employee health insurance plans and participating in community-based health initiatives. Investment in preventive healthcare, such as workplace wellness programs and public health campaigns, can reduce disease burdens and improve workforce productivity. By fostering an ecosystem of shared responsibility, the government and private sector can build a healthcare system that is both financially sustainable and accessible to all Nigerians.

Where do you see the most significant opportunities for growth and development in the Nigerian healthcare sector over the next 5-10 years, and how can these opportunities be leveraged to boost the economy?

Over the next 5-10 years, significant growth opportunities in Nigeria’s healthcare sector lie in technology and innovation, private sector investment, universal health coverage (UHC), preventive care, and human resource development. Telemedicine, AI, and data analytics can expand healthcare access, while increased private sector participation in infrastructure and service delivery can drive innovation. Expanding health insurance and financing models will improve affordability, and investing in healthcare workforce training will address skill shortages and enhance care quality. These opportunities can directly boost the economy by improving workforce productivity, creating jobs across healthcare and technology, attracting foreign investment, and reducing overall healthcare costs through efficiency and prevention. By leveraging these advancements, Nigeria can build a resilient healthcare system that not only improves public health but also contributes to long-term economic growth.