Stethoscope on a printed sheet of paper
Expanding health insurance coverage is only part of the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) mission, according to Director-General Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, who is championing a broader vision that places healthcare at the centre of Nigeria’s long-term economic development strategy.
Speaking at the BusinessDay CEO Forum, Ohiri argued that healthcare should be viewed not merely as a social service but as essential economic infrastructure capable of strengthening workforce productivity, reducing poverty and improving national competitiveness.
His remarks come as Nigeria pursues wide-ranging economic reforms, with policymakers seeking sustainable drivers of growth beyond traditional fiscal and monetary measures.
Human Capital at the Core of Economic Reform
Ohiri said Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, stressing that investments in health are fundamental to unlocking the country’s economic potential.
According to him, healthy populations are more productive, businesses perform better when employees remain healthy, and stronger human capital ultimately translates into higher economic output.
He challenged business leaders to move beyond viewing healthcare solely as an employee benefit, urging companies to adopt preventive health strategies that support workforce wellbeing throughout employees’ productive lives.
“The objective is not simply to pay for treatment when workers fall ill, but to help them remain healthy and productive,” he said.
Insurance Reform Expands Access
Since assuming leadership of the NHIA in 2023, Ohiri has overseen efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health insurance system through closer collaboration with state governments and accelerated implementation of the National Health Insurance Act.
The Authority says health insurance enrolment has increased from about 16 million beneficiaries to more than 22 million under the current administration, supported by reforms in strategic purchasing, digital administration and quality assurance.
The NHIA has also expanded initiatives targeting vulnerable populations while seeking to improve confidence in health insurance through stronger governance and service delivery.
Maternal Health and Financial Protection
Among the Authority’s flagship programmes is the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Maternal Care initiative, designed to finance life-saving emergency services for pregnant women across hundreds of healthcare facilities.
The programme aims to reduce maternal mortality while protecting families from catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenses, reinforcing the role of health insurance in improving both health outcomes and financial resilience.
Ohiri said healthcare financing should increasingly reward quality outcomes rather than simply the volume of medical services provided.
Technology to Accelerate Universal Coverage
Digital transformation forms a central pillar of the NHIA’s reform agenda, with the Authority promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, electronic medical records and digital identity systems to improve healthcare access and efficiency.
According to Ohiri, technology offers an opportunity to overcome structural constraints in healthcare delivery by extending services beyond the limitations of physical infrastructure and workforce shortages.
He argued that scaling innovation, rather than relying on isolated pilot projects, will be critical to achieving universal health coverage.
Health Financing Seen as Economic Policy
Ohiri’s approach reflects a growing view that health financing and economic policy are closely interconnected.
Poor health outcomes, he noted, increase business costs, weaken labour productivity and reduce national competitiveness, making investment in healthcare an essential component of broader economic development.
He called on governments, businesses and development partners to make deliberate investments in human capital, arguing that sustainable prosperity depends on improving the health, skills and resilience of the population.
Industry observers say the NHIA’s evolving strategy signals a shift in Nigeria’s health insurance landscape, positioning universal health coverage not only as a public health objective but also as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and long-term financial sustainability.
