Ultimate Health HMO has announced its plans to expand health insurance access to Nigerians in the diaspora and students in tertiary institutions, while calling for stronger enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act to drive enrollment across the country.
Speaking at the company’s 14th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director and CEO, Otunba Lekan Ewenla, revealed that the HMO has increased its share capital to ₦1 billion, surpassing the ₦750 million regulatory requirement for national HMOs.
He emphasized that the move reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and extending coverage to underserved and vulnerable groups who have limited access to quality healthcare services.
“We’ve introduced a unique diaspora health insurance scheme for Nigerians living abroad who want to secure continuous healthcare access for their dependents back home. This initiative is already gaining momentum in countries like the US and the UK,” Ewenla said.
He noted that a significant portion of remittances sent to Nigeria is intended for healthcare, but many beneficiaries end up relying on fragmented or one-off services due to the lack of a structured approach. To address this, the HMO is partnering with diaspora communities, religious institutions, and businesses to enable seamless, long-term health coverage.
In a bid to further expand access, the company is working with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and proposing a framework for integrating health insurance payments into the school fees of tertiary institutions across the country.
Ewenla also announced the launch of a “pre-booking system” aimed at drastically reducing wait times at hospitals. Through a digital scheduling platform, enrollees can notify their HMO and selected hospitals of their visit in advance, making service delivery more efficient.
“We’ve reduced average wait times to ten minutes, and we’re working to cut it down to five. It’s about preserving the dignity of care,” he said.
He also emphasized the shift towards preventive care, noting that 70–75% of resources would now be dedicated to wellness and early intervention, rather than focusing solely on treating illnesses.
On the federal government scheme, Ewenla reaffirmed that medications are expected to be distributed through accredited facilities, ensuring quality and accountability.
“Prompt settlement of provider bills is non-negotiable. We operate on integrity and best practices, and every player must adhere to NHIA operational guidelines,” he added.
The 14th AGM also reviewed the company’s performance, reaffirmed its strategic outlook for 2025 and beyond, and stressed the importance of aligning with national health priorities to improve Nigeria’s health indices.
Prioritizing Enrollee Satisfaction
Chairman of the Board, Angela Ajala, reiterated the company’s focus on customer satisfaction and prompt claim payments, especially for underserved populations.
“We prioritise the needs of our enrollees, especially the masses relying on this programme. Timely claims settlement is central to our culture and pride,” she said.
Ewenla further called for urgent enforcement of mandatory enrollment provisions in the 2022 NHIA Act. He urged the NHIA to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and regulators like the NUC, NBTE, and NCCE to ensure that Nigeria’s over 20 million students in tertiary institutions are covered.
“If we can enroll just a fraction of these students, it will strengthen the risk pool significantly,” he stated, adding that the current annual premium of ₦2,000 for students is insufficient and needs to be reviewed.
