President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement mandatory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022, marking a major push toward universal health coverage in Nigeria.
The President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to issue a service-wide circular enforcing compliance. He, however, emphasised the need for closer and constructive engagement with the private sector to avoid undue constraints on businesses.
According to the directive, the policy will be enforced through five key measures:
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Employee Coverage: All MDAs must enrol their employees in the NHIA health insurance plan, with the option of adding supplementary private coverage if desired.
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Procurement Compliance: Any entity seeking to participate in public procurement must provide a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of eligibility requirements.
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Licenses and Permits: Applicants for licenses, permits, and official approvals must present a valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificate before issuance or renewal.
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Digital Verification: The NHIA will establish a digital platform for the easy verification of certificates, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
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Monitoring: MDAs must work with the NHIA to create internal procedures for verifying the authenticity of submitted certificates and ensuring consistent compliance.
The Presidency explained that the directive is aimed at expanding health coverage, safeguarding workers, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and strengthening accountability in both public and private engagements.
The NHIA Act, 2022 makes health insurance compulsory for all Nigerians and mandates the Authority to guarantee coverage nationwide. Yet, three years after its passage, national health insurance coverage remains far below target, despite recent reforms in the health sector.
By enforcing compliance across government institutions and linking health insurance certificates to procurement and licensing, the administration hopes to accelerate progress towards universal healthcare.
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