The Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority on Thursday hailed President Bola Tinubu for mandating the implementation of compulsory health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, described the directive as the fruits of legislative labour and an idea becoming a reality for millions of Nigerians.
Tinubu on Wednesday directed the compulsory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.
According to 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 mandating compliance.
The directive covers five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all MDA employees under the NHIA health insurance plan. Agencies may also adopt supplementary private insurance where necessary.
The directive followed the announcement made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who stated that the government plans to enrol at least 44 million Nigerians into the national health insurance scheme by 2030 as a measure to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health.
Oloriegbe, who was a member of the ninth Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (2019-2023), said Tinubu’s directive is a landmark moment in Nigeria’s health reform journey and a fulfilment of the vision behind the NHIA Act 2022.
Posting on his X handle, Oloriegbe stated, “As the sponsor and champion of the NHIA Act during my time in the @NGRSenate, I am deeply gratified to see this reform come alive under the Renewed Hope Administration. The Act was one of four bills that became law out of 15 legislative proposals I sponsored, and it introduced critical reforms — making health insurance mandatory, establishing the Vulnerable Group Fund, and embedding 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.
“In his wisdom, the President has also called for constructive engagement with the private sector to ensure that businesses are not unduly constrained — a balanced and thoughtful approach. This directive is not merely about compliance; it is about expanding health coverage, safeguarding workers, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, and promoting accountability in both public and private sector engagements.”
He noted that the directive embodies the reform vision championed by the ninth Senate in passing the Act.
“For me, this is both a personal win and a historic legacy which I’ll forever cherish.
“As the legislator who fought for and sponsored the NHIA Act, and now as Chairman of its Governing Council, I see this directive as the fruits of legislative labour — an idea becoming a reality for millions of Nigerians.
“I sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for bringing this vision to life and for reaffirming his administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
