eHealth Bill: How DSP Barau, the Digital Senator, is Driving Nigeria’s Health Tech Future

By Abba Anwar

Only advanced minds and globally exposed political leaders can think of the necessity and relevance of E-Health regulatory framework in the nation’s healthcare system.

The National E-Health Bill, 2026, presented to the Senate plenary session some weeks back, by His Excellency the Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, CFR, PhD, is a clear testimony that, this Distinguished Senator knows the right button to press when it comes to compliance with the global practice in the healthcare sector.

As the Bill passed second reading three days ago, it has become clearer that our National Assembly houses refined legislators, who behave as and are global citizens. Who understand what is obtained elsewhere across the globe in many sectors, including health.

On his Facebook page DSP disclosed that, “During today’s plenary of the Senate, my Bill, the National E-Health Bill, 2026, scaled second reading in our bid to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the development, regulation, coordination and integration of electronic health services in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He was supported unanimously by his Distinguished colleagues, during the plenary. After which it has been referred to the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for the remaining legislative process. Two weeks was given for the Committee to report back to the plenary.

To tell you that DSP is soundly familiar with the digital terrain in the healthcare sector, with deep interest and unwavering care for all Nigerians, he argued on the floor of the Senate, that, “… the healthcare sector globally is undergoing an unprecedented digital transformation. Across developed and emerging economies, digital technologies have become indispensable tools for improving healthcare delivery, expanding access to medical services, reducing costs and enhancing health outcomes.

Nations are increasingly deploying electronic medical records, telemedicine platforms, artificial intelligence, mobile health applications, electronic prescriptions, wearable health technologies and integrated health information systems to improve efficiency and quality of care.”

The above argument advanced by Senator Jibrin, tells us in broader terms and unhindered breakthrough in the thinking, action, deep philosophy and glaring global comprehension of this noble legislator in pushing for the advancement of our healthcare system. With reference to global experience.

In his added capacity as an astute administrator, a focused Pan-African legislator and a high profile researcher he was able to capture bit-by-bit reasons why digital healthcare system is a prerequisite of modern healthcare administration and management.

The attention of my readers is needed here, where he argued brilliantly that, “Nigeria cannot afford to remain on the margins of this global transformation. Despite significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and reforms over the years, our healthcare delivery system continues to face enormous challenges.

Medical records remain largely paper-based, resulting in loss of patient information, duplication of diagnostic tests, delayed treatment and avoidable medical errors. Healthcare facilities often operate in isolation, making it difficult to exchange patient information securely across institutions.”

Because of his glued attachment to the grassroot, he was able to remember that, millions of our citizens are residing in rural, underreported, hard-to-reach and underserved communities, which make them to continue facing enormous barriers in accessing specialist medical care due to shortages of healthcare professionals and geographical limitations.

As a scholar with real and genuine academic Doctorate Degree (PhD) he was able to draw a scientific curtain for the need to have regulations governing the operationalization procedures of digital healthcare. Our esteemed Digital Legislator of repute.

That was when he said, “… the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated beyond doubt that digital health technologies are no longer optional but essential components of resilient healthcare systems. During the pandemic, telemedicine, remote consultations and electronic health information systems became indispensable in maintaining continuity of healthcare services while reducing unnecessary physical contact.”

It is through proper legislation that any system strives, cements its parts, provides goodies, enhances benefits and maintains advantages. Thinking in the same way Senator Jibrin believes that, with the negation of clear legislation there is every likelihood that, what becomes the outputs are “… fragmented implementation, inconsistent standards, inadequate interoperability, weak governance structures and uncertainty regarding legal responsibilities of healthcare providers operating digital platforms.”

During his presentation or rather arguments, he behaved as if he was a medical personnel. When he raised the issue of data confidentiality and management. One of the core behavior of health workers, to safeguard the privacy and health history of patients.

Too tantalizing for a non-medical person, when he argued that, “Distinguished Colleagues, data protection remains one of the cornerstones of this legislation. Health information is among the most sensitive categories of personal information. The Bill therefore establishes robust safeguards to ensure confidentiality, integrity and security of patients’ medical records.”

Thinking from informed position ab initio, to show to all that, DSP Jibrin knew his starting point, he knows where he was heading to and knows the clear message involved in digitalizing healthcare system, with relevant stakeholders, he identified possible collaborators who are critical in the implementation of this all-important Bill.

He said, “… this Bill aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, the National Digital Health Strategic Framework, the National Health Act, Universal Health Coverage objectives, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and our broader commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being and Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.”

Before the Bill scaled the second reading, DSP urged his colleagues to see wisdom in the Bill and support him for its passage. Understanding the critical need for the Bill, having gone far and wide across the globe he believes that this 21st century digital era should be reflected in our healthcare sector.

In his urge to colleagues he said, “This Bill represents a bold legislative response to the realities of twenty-first-century healthcare. It provides the legal foundation necessary for building a modern, efficient, inclusive and technology-driven healthcare system that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians.
I therefore urge my Distinguished Colleagues to support this very important Bill and allow it to proceed to Second Reading.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Sunday, 12th July, 2026

BY
MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA (MSNB)
mudassiray@gmail.com

Alhaji Tijjani Rabiu Spikin, popularly known as ‘Tijjani Spikin,’ is one of the most respected elders of the Kofar Nassarawa and Sabuwar Kofa communities. A successful businessman with an outstanding reputation, he is admired not only for his business accomplishments but also for his kindness, humility, and generosity toward those around him, especially children.

He is widely regarded as a man of peace who values harmonious relationships. He believes that good neighbourliness is built on mutual respect, compassion, and the willingness to uphold the rights of others. His home has always been a place where people feel welcome, particularly children, and he has earned the trust and admiration of both the young and the old through his exemplary character.

What distinguishes Alhaji Tijjani most is his genuine love for children. He has always shown special affection to every child living in his neighbourhood, regardless of family background. It has long been his habit to brighten their day by giving them small gifts, including cash, biscuits, sweets, and other treats. To many children, these gestures were not merely gifts but expressions of love and encouragement that made them feel valued and appreciated.

Those who grew up in the area could bear me witness. I can vividly remember the excitement whenever Alhaji Tijjani came out in the morning or afternoon on his way to his daily routine. Children would eagerly and joyously gather around him, knowing that he would never send them away empty-handed. Because of this remarkable generosity to the children, they affectionately gave him the nickname “Mai Raba Kwandala Kwandala,” meaning “the man who shared coins.” It was a title born out of admiration for his habit of distributing small denominations of the Nigerian naira to every boy or girl he met.

Today, Alhaji Tijjani Rabiu (Spikin) remains a shining example of how kindness, generosity, and good neighbourliness can leave a lasting impact on a community, especially in the minds of the children who have now become youths and stakeholders in society. His legacy is reflected not only in the lives he has touched but also in the fond memories cherished by generations of children who experienced his compassion firsthand.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) continue to bless Alhaji Tijjani Rabiu and his entire family abundantly. May He increase him in wealth, grant him sound health, strengthen him in Iman (faith), protect him from all harm, and reward his kindness with His endless mercy in this world and in the Hereafter. Ameen.

Mudassir can be reached via:
mudassiray@gmail.com

Tijjani Sarki

I was genuinely amazed that the inaugural Arewa Media Summit ended with a communique. For an event presented as a defining conversation on media, governance and accountability in Northern Nigeria, the silence was difficult to understand. It was only after analysts and observers questioned the omission that a comprehensive communiqué eventually emerged.

I have read the document carefully. It is professionally written, politically appealing and rich in democratic vocabulary. Unfortunately, it is also painfully short on substance.

Beyond the impressive language, there is no implementation framework, no timelines, no measurable targets and no independent mechanism to ensure that its resolutions become reality. That is not how transformational policy conversations are measured. It is how public relations documents are often written.

Even more disappointing is what the communiqué failed to confront. The media space in Arewa is under siege, not only from misinformation but from increasing political manipulation. Today, media platforms are too often deployed to inflame unnecessary controversies, deepen divisions, promote personality cults, settle political scores and manufacture enemies instead of advancing public enlightenment and good governance. This dangerous trend deserved to be the centrepiece of the summit, yet it received only passing attention.

If the gathering truly sought to reshape the future of media in Northern Nigeria, it should have produced practical strategies to strengthen investigative journalism, protect editorial independence, support indigenous media institutions and insulate the media from political capture.

Arewa does not need another annual media jamboree with polished speeches and elegant communiqués. It needs a platform that speaks truth to power, promotes professional journalism, unites rather than divides our people, and produces measurable reforms. Until then, many will continue to question whether this summit advanced the public interest or merely refined the language of political communication.

Tijjani Sarki
Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst