NHIA Governing Council Applauds Tinubu’s Directive on Compulsory Health Insurance
The Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for mandating the compulsory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The directive, announced on Wednesday, aligns with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular to enforce compliance.
The new policy covers five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all MDA employees under the NHIA health insurance plan. Agencies are also permitted to adopt supplementary private insurance schemes where necessary.
Chairman of the NHIA Governing Council, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, hailed the move as a milestone in Nigeria’s health reform journey, describing it as “the fruits of legislative labour” and a long-awaited reality for millions of Nigerians.
Oloriegbe, a former senator who sponsored the NHIA Act in the ninth National Assembly, noted that the law introduced critical reforms such as mandatory health insurance, the establishment of a Vulnerable Group Fund, and accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance.
“President Tinubu’s directive requires all MDAs to enrol their employees in the NHIA plan, mandates the use of valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificates for procurement and licensing processes, and compels the development of verification systems to ensure accountability,” Oloriegbe said in a post on his X handle.
He added that the president’s insistence on constructive engagement with the private sector reflects a balanced approach to ensuring businesses are not unduly burdened while expanding health coverage.
The initiative comes as the federal government sets its sights on enrolling at least 44 million Nigerians into the national health insurance scheme by 2030, a target announced recently by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako.
The plan aims to reduce the country’s high out-of-pocket health expenditure and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
“For me, this is both a personal win and a historic legacy which I’ll forever cherish,” Oloriegbe remarked. “I sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing this vision to life and for reaffirming his administration’s commitment to universal health coverage for all Nigerians.”
