Experts have called for a more responsive regulatory environment and closer collaboration among healthcare professionals, legal practitioners, technology developers and regulators to ensure that innovation in Nigeria’s health technology sector does not come at the expense of patient safety, privacy and professional accountability.
The call was made during the first plenary session of the 7th Legal Business Conference 2026, held on Tuesday, October 20, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The session, themed “Navigating Health Tech Regulation and Investment in Nigeria: Legal Pathways to Sustainable Healthcare Innovation,” examined the legal and commercial challenges confronting digital healthcare businesses, including data protection, medical liability, professional licensing, intellectual property, telemedicine and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery.
The discussion featured Peter Bunor, co-founder of Shelf Life and global growth lead at Field Intelligence; Dr Eyiuche S.I. Ahanwa, a health and business lawyer; Dr Emmanuel Onyenuche, a medical practitioner and chief executive officer of Waterfalls Hospital Group; and Joyce N. Eseni, Esq, a legal practitioner with a special interest in medical and health law. The session was moderated by Otunba Laolu A. Osanyin.
Opening the discussion, the moderator, Otunba Laolu A. Osanyin, drew attention to the different speeds at which medicine, technology and the law develop, warning that the gap can create serious challenges when new technologies are introduced into healthcare.
Using examples from medical practice and technology-assisted healthcare, Osanyin explained that a technology developer could introduce a new tool quickly, while medical professionals undergo years of training and legal frameworks may take longer to adapt to new developments.
He argued that these differences become particularly important when technology is used to support medical decisions, monitor patients or facilitate treatment across geographical boundaries.
Osanyin also raised questions about responsibility when healthcare services are delivered through digital platforms. He discussed scenarios involving telemedicine and remote medical supervision to illustrate the difficulty of determining accountability when a patient suffers harm following a technology-assisted medical intervention.
His contribution reinforced the need for legal frameworks to address emerging situations rather than relying solely on assumptions drawn from conventional medical practice.
Contributing to the discussion on technology and data, Peter Bunor examined the growing importance of data in developing digital products, artificial intelligence systems and healthcare solutions.
He acknowledged that large amounts of data are useful for training AI systems and supporting research, but the discussion highlighted the particular sensitivity of medical information and the risks associated with its collection, storage and use.
The panel considered how personal information generated through mobile phones, digital platforms and healthcare interactions could be processed for research and commercial purposes. It also examined the potential for data to be used to identify disease patterns, assess healthcare needs and inform decisions about pharmaceutical products and investment.
The discussion distinguished the commercial value of medical data from the obligation to protect the identity and confidentiality of patients. While aggregated information can support research and planning, the use of identifiable health information raises significant privacy concerns.
The panel further considered the regulatory burden facing local innovators, particularly where they must comply with stringent requirements while larger technology companies operate with access to extensive data resources.
The underlying message was that data can support healthcare innovation and commercial growth, but its value must be balanced against privacy, confidentiality and responsible use.
From the perspective of healthcare delivery, Dr Emmanuel Onyenuche contribution highlighted the importance of integrating technology into medical practice without treating it as a substitute for professional clinical judgment.
The discussion explored whether digital systems and artificial intelligence could function independently of clinicians. A key point raised was the need for a “human in the loop”, ensuring that a qualified person remains involved in relevant decision-making processes.
The panel considered how technology could help healthcare professionals manage workloads, process information and improve efficiency. However, it also recognised that clinical practice involves skills and judgments that cannot always be fully captured by data or automated systems.
The discussion therefore cautioned against assuming that a technology’s ability to analyse information or suggest a diagnosis automatically qualifies it to replace a licensed medical professional.
It also raised concerns about the possibility of individuals without appropriate medical qualifications using technological tools to provide services that could amount to the practice of medicine.
The broader position was that technology should strengthen the work of healthcare professionals while preserving appropriate clinical oversight and accountability.
Participating virtually, Dr Eyiuche Aaddressed the legal and regulatory questions facing innovators and investors working at the intersection of healthcare, technology, data protection, intellectual property and artificial intelligence.
Her contribution pointed to the importance of understanding the laws and regulatory requirements that apply to digital health services, particularly where different aspects of healthcare delivery are governed by separate legal and regulatory frameworks.
She emphasised the need for innovators to obtain appropriate legal guidance when developing and deploying healthcare technologies. This is important for navigating regulatory requirements, protecting patient information and ensuring that consent and privacy issues are properly addressed.
The discussion also touched on the need for businesses to understand the relevant regulatory institutions and engage appropriately with government where necessary.
The central message from her contribution was that legal advice should not be treated as an afterthought. Instead, it should form part of the process of developing and introducing health technology products, helping innovators address legal complexities before they become obstacles to deployment or business growth.
Joyce Neni, who joined the session virtually, brought a legal perspective informed by her experience in medical and health law and healthcare administration.
Her participation formed part of the panel’s wider examination of the legal and professional questions emerging from digital healthcare, including the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals and the responsibilities that arise when medical services are delivered through technology.
The discussion underscored the need to consider the limits of remote consultations and technology-assisted interventions, particularly where a medical assessment requires direct clinical examination or professional judgment.
The panel’s wider debate highlighted why digital healthcare arrangements must be assessed not only for their technological capabilities but also for their consistency with medical standards, professional responsibilities and patient protection.
A major takeaway from the session was the need to close the gap between technological advancement and regulatory development without creating rules that discourage useful innovation.
The first plenary session formed part of the conference’s broader theme, “Law, Commerce and Creativity: Unlocking New Frontiers in Health, Sports and Fashion Law.”
The discussion demonstrated that sustainable growth in digital healthcare requires more than technological capability. It also depends on appropriate legal guidance, clear regulatory expectations, effective commercial structures and collaboration among the different professionals responsible for developing and delivering healthcare solutions.
For Nigeria’s health technology sector, the challenge is to create an environment where innovation can attract investment and improve healthcare delivery while preserving patient trust, data privacy and the accountability of healthcare professionals.
The panel’s message was clear: the future of digital healthcare will depend not only on what technology can achieve, but also on how effectively law, medicine and regulation work together to make that progress safe, responsible and sustainable.