The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has applauded the directive making health insurance mandatory across Nigeria, describing it as a landmark step in the country’s march toward universal health coverage. The policy, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks to guarantee that millions of Nigerians can access affordable and quality healthcare without falling into financial hardship.
NHIA emphasised that the directive lays a solid foundation for financial protection and equitable access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups. With a target of enrolling 44 million Nigerians by 2030, the initiative is set to create the largest insured pool on the African continent. This, the Authority noted, will not only improve health outcomes but also boost productivity and national economic growth.
The Authority further pointed out that the directive complements ongoing reforms, including the expansion of the Vulnerable Groups Fund, subsidies for dialysis and other critical treatments, as well as the creation of a Catastrophic Health Insurance Fund in the 2025 budget. These interventions are already helping to save lives, reduce out-of-pocket spending, and protect households from poverty linked to medical costs.
Calling for greater collaboration, NHIA urged state governments, development partners, and the private sector to align with the directive by strengthening implementation nationwide. It reaffirmed its commitment to innovative financing, pooled procurement, and support for local pharmaceutical production as key measures to reduce costs. The Authority described the presidential directive as a turning point, marking a bold shift from aspiration to action in Nigeria’s health system.