The National Assembly has announced plans to introduce new legislation that will regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and health surveillance across Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this known at the Sixth Annual Legislative Summit on Health in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Akpabio, the 10th National Assembly aims to harness digital innovation to boost universal health coverage and strengthen the country’s medical infrastructure.
He explained that lawmakers would soon propose bills supporting telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI-powered diagnostics. These, he said, will ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous care between primary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
“We must build a digital backbone connecting every primary health centre with tertiary hospitals,” Akpabio stated.
“Innovation is not an accessory; it is our lifeline.”
He stressed that no nation can achieve modern healthcare goals using outdated systems. “We cannot build a 21st-century nation with 19th-century tools,” he warned.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would also strengthen the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to ensure it reaches target communities nationwide.
He reaffirmed his commitment to placing healthcare at the centre of national development. “We will defend its funding, enforce accountability, and protect the welfare of every health worker,” he added.
Health Leaders Back AI Legislation
Senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), said the summit’s theme reflected Nigeria’s readiness to build an innovative and equitable healthcare system.
She stressed that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires a system driven by innovation, knowledge, and collaboration.
Similarly, Salma Ibrahim-Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to digital transformation and improved healthcare accessibility.
“We are committed to ensuring responsive health systems that remain affordable and accessible to all Nigerians,” she said.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Country Representative, Pavel Ursu, described the initiative as a vital step toward reforming healthcare with economic and population-level benefits.
He said strong legislative support would help Nigeria unlock investment opportunities in digital health and human capital development.
Also, Muriel Mafico, Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), pledged continued UN support for Nigeria’s digital health reforms through coordinated strategies and sector-wide partnerships.
With the proposed AI-focused legislation, Nigeria may soon join other countries integrating machine learning and digital technology into mainstream health services.