The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and access to quality healthcare services in Nigeria.
BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday during a courtesy visit by NHIA’s Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri.
Adedokun commended recent reforms by the NHIA leadership, describing Ohiri’s approach as “timely and impactful.” He stressed that while the two agencies operate in different sectors, both play vital roles in promoting transparency and good governance for national development.
He urged NHIA to comply fully with procurement guidelines issued by BPP and underscored the need for joint efforts in building a resilient healthcare system. According to him, lapses in infrastructure and service delivery not only endanger lives but also worsen youth mortality and economic challenges.
Adedokun pledged BPP’s support to NHIA in the areas of capacity building, public awareness, and reform enforcement, which he said would help restore public confidence in the health insurance scheme.
In his remarks, Ohiri said the visit was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s health sector renewal agenda. He highlighted NHIA’s recent reforms, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a 95 per cent upward review of provider tariffs and hospital capitation, circulars to improve HMO responsiveness, the introduction of a PR Code to guide enrollees, and mandatory enrolment of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He also sought BPP’s support in training procurement staff and strengthening institutional capacity to ensure compliance and effective reform implementation.
Both agencies pledged to sustain the partnership to drive transparency, accountability, and improved healthcare access for Nigerians.
