Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the strict enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022, particularly its provisions mandating private companies to enroll their employees in the national health insurance scheme.
This decision followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Enforce Compliance with the Provision of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in Private Companies,” sponsored by Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke during Thursday’s plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Nwaeke raised concern over the widespread non-compliance by many private companies with the NHIA Act, which makes health insurance compulsory for all employees in private establishments with more than five staff members, as well as for workers in the public sector.
He explained that under the law, the NHIA is empowered to accredit and regulate Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) across the country, ensuring that both employers and employees have access to reliable and sustainable healthcare coverage.
According to Nwaeke, the Act requires private employers to contribute 10% of an employee’s basic salary, while the employee contributes 5%, bringing the total contribution to 15%, funds meant to guarantee access to essential healthcare services.
However, he lamented that many private companies “have totally refused to enroll their staff or make the mandatory contributions to the scheme,” leaving workers vulnerable to health risks and financial hardship during medical emergencies.
Nwaeke warned that continued non-compliance not only violates the NHIA Act but also undermines efforts to achieve universal health coverage and denies workers the health protections guaranteed by law.
Following deliberation, the House urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to immediately compile a comprehensive list of defaulting private companies and impose appropriate sanctions on those found to be in violation of the Act.
Lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Healthcare Services to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the NHIA Act and to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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