Data Governance Framework Development for Nigerian State Health Information Systems

Nigerian state health information systems collect substantial patient and epidemiological data, but the absence of coherent data governance frameworks exposes these systems to integrity risks, privacy violations, and limited data utility for health planning. This study develops a data governance framework for state-level health information systems in Nigeria, using Cross River State and Kwara State as case examples. A professional framework development methodology was adopted, drawing on international health data governance standards (WHO Data Governance Framework, HL7 FHIR, and the Personal Data Protection Bill), structured interviews with 20 health information managers and state health ministry officials, and a process audit of current data management practices in both states. Findings indicate that data quality management, master patient index maintenance, and inter-facility data sharing protocols are the most critically deficient governance areas. Data access roles are formally defined in only 33 percent of facilities surveyed. Patient data re-identification risks from sharing practices are insufficiently mitigated. Only one of two case states has adopted the Federal Government's integrated health information management system. The proposed Data Governance Framework for Nigerian State Health Information Systems covers ten governance domains, with minimum standards, responsible entities, and implementation timelines for each. Adoption is recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health's National Health Management Information System programme as a national health data governance standard.

Keywords: data governance, health information systems, Nigeria, patient data, state health ministry