Nigeria’s digital healthcare industry is projected to reach $3.3 billion by 2030, driven by growing investment, technology adoption, and innovative opportunities, according to Dr. Sarumi Olakunle, a Consultant Public Health Physician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Olakunle made the disclosure during a presentation titled “Navigating the Future of Medical Practice and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria” at the Association of Resident Doctors conference in Ilorin.

Citing 2023 data from iTelemedia and Statista, he noted that Nigeria’s digital health market could hit $631.55 million by 2025, despite slow adoption of health technologies in hospitals. Currently, only 22% of hospitals use Electronic Health Records (EHRs), while many rural clinics still rely on paper-based systems, limiting efficiency and data sharing.

Dr. Olakunle emphasized the need for medical entrepreneurship and innovation to strengthen health systems, create sustainable careers, and address structural challenges. He highlighted the issue of brain drain, noting that the Nigerian Medical Association estimates 50 doctors leave Nigeria weekly, with thousands of other healthcare workers migrating annually. Between 2021 and 2022, 13,609 healthcare professionals moved to the UK alone.

He encouraged doctors to embrace digital health, telemedicine, preventive care, and integrated systems, stressing that such approaches could expand access, reduce costs, support chronic disease management, and improve healthcare efficiency, particularly in rural areas.