President Bola Tinubu has ordered the mandatory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022.
This directive was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The NHIA Act mandates compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians and tasks the NHIA with achieving universal health coverage.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu has instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to circulate a service-wide directive to all MDAs. He also emphasized the need for stronger, more constructive collaboration with the private sector to implement the Act without placing undue burdens on businesses.
The President’s directive highlights five key areas:
Mandatory Enrollment: All MDAs are required to enrol their employees in the NHIA’s health insurance scheme. They may also opt for supplementary private insurance as allowed under the Act.
Procurement Compliance: Any entity involved in public procurement must present a valid Health Insurance Certificate issued by the NHIA as part of their eligibility criteria.
Licensing and Approvals: A valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificate will now be a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.
Digital Verification: The NHIA will launch a digital platform for verifying Health Insurance Certificates, promoting transparency and ease of access.
Monitoring and Compliance: MDAs must work with the NHIA to establish internal procedures for verifying certificate authenticity and ensuring ongoing compliance.
This initiative aims to strengthen the health insurance system in Nigeria and ensure broader access to healthcare through better coordination between government agencies and the private sector.
