Nigeria’s Digital Health Future Hinges On Data Trust, Cybersecurity—Expert

The Chief Executive Officer of Vannin Group Inc, Oliver van Veen, has said Nigeria’s ambition to build a robust digital health system will depend largely on public trust, strong cybersecurity measures and effective protection of sensitive medical data.

Van Veen, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP, stressed that cybersecurity and data privacy must be integrated into Nigeria’s digital health transformation from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought.

He noted that health information remains one of the most sensitive categories of personal data, containing details about diagnoses, medications, family history, mental health and other personal records that could cause significant harm if exposed or misused.

According to him, while digital health systems offer opportunities to improve healthcare delivery through better continuity of care, reduced duplication of services and stronger public health planning, such benefits can only be achieved when patients and healthcare professionals have confidence in the system.

“A patient who fears that information may be disclosed improperly may avoid care or withhold important details. A clinician who does not trust a system may create parallel paper processes. Either response weakens the entire investment,” he said.

The Vannin Group CEO acknowledged that Nigeria has established a legal and policy framework for protecting personal data, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act and initiatives by relevant authorities to promote privacy-preserving technologies within the health sector.

He, however, said the focus should now shift towards implementing these frameworks through practical measures across healthcare institutions.

Van Veen identified key steps required to strengthen digital health security, including proper identification of information collected by institutions, restricting access based on professional roles, improving identity verification systems and ensuring cybersecurity covers the entire healthcare ecosystem.

He warned that digital health platforms could remain vulnerable through weak points such as outdated devices, poorly secured interfaces, contractor accounts, mobile devices and inadequately managed backup systems.

“No responsible organisation can promise that a cyber incident will never happen. It can, however, maintain tested backups, incident-response procedures, clear reporting lines, service-continuity plans, and transparent communication,” he said.

Describing data governance as “clinical infrastructure,” Van Veen argued that systems unable to protect confidentiality, maintain accurate records and remain available when needed could become a patient safety concern.

He also cautioned against viewing regulation and innovation as opposing forces, saying clear standards would encourage responsible investment and improve confidence among healthcare providers, technology companies and patients.

The health technology expert called for greater support for smaller healthcare facilities that may lack dedicated cybersecurity teams, recommending shared guidance, certification, training and secure national digital health components to create a common security baseline.

He further stressed the importance of public awareness, saying citizens should understand what information is collected, who has access to it, how consent works and how complaints can be addressed.

Van Veen said Nigeria’s digital health transformation has the potential to serve as a model for other large and diverse health systems, but warned that rapid expansion without trust could increase risks.

“Trust is not a public-relations benefit that follows successful digitisation. It is the infrastructure that makes successful digitisation possible,” he added.