The Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commended President Bola Tinubu for mandating the implementation of compulsory health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Council’s Chairman, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, described the directive as the realization of years of legislative effort, transforming a longstanding policy idea into a tangible benefit for millions of Nigerians.
On Wednesday, President Tinubu directed the mandatory implementation of health insurance across all MDAs, in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.
In a statement, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular to ensure compliance.
The directive focuses on five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all MDA employees in the NHIA health insurance scheme. Agencies are also allowed to adopt supplementary private insurance where necessary.
The announcement follows comments by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, who stated that the government aims to enroll at least 44 million Nigerians in the national health insurance scheme by 2030, as part of efforts to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures.
Dr. Oloriegbe hailed the directive as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s health reform journey and a fulfillment of the vision behind the NHIA Act 2022. “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,” he said.
He added that the directive reflects the reform vision championed by the Ninth Senate in passing the Act.
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