Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, says the agency’s top priority is building a functional health insurance system that guarantees quality and accessible healthcare for Nigerians.
In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Oloriegbe outlined the authority’s strategy to achieve universal health coverage, stressing that mandatory health insurance is only one aspect of the reforms being pursued.
“We want every Nigerian to have at least a basic minimum package of health insurance. Insurance is a pool, and by making it mandatory, we expand that pool,” he explained.
Expanding Coverage Through Employers and Informal Sector
To rapidly increase enrolment, the NHIA is pushing for an executive order that would compel all registered companies with at least five employees to provide health insurance for their workers. Evidence of coverage, he said, would become a prerequisite for government contracts and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration.
Beyond the formal workforce, Oloriegbe said the focus is on mobilising Nigeria’s vast informal sector through cooperative societies and artisan associations. Premium payments, he added, may be structured as weekly or monthly contributions to make them more affordable.
Support for Vulnerable Groups and High-Risk Patients
Recognising that many Nigerians cannot afford premiums, the NHIA is scaling up its Vulnerable Group Fund, which received ₦5 billion in the 2024 budget. Current programmes cover emergency maternal care and Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) treatment.
The authority is also extending support to people with chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease, kidney ailments, and cancer. In partnership with pharmaceutical firm Roche, NHIA subsidises cancer drugs—30% from Roche, 20% from NHIA, while patients pay the balance.
Improving Service Quality and Regulation
Responding to long-standing complaints about poor service, Oloriegbe said provider payments have been significantly increased to reflect rising costs of drugs and treatment. A “one-hour policy” has also been introduced, requiring providers to proceed with patient care if Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) delay authorisation beyond one hour.
To strengthen oversight, NHIA has boosted its monitoring and enforcement unit and is introducing mobile registration, unique insurance numbers linked with NIN, and new standards for HMO licensing and regulation.
Harnessing Technology and Diaspora Support
The authority is investing in digital platforms to simplify enrolment, track claims, and handle complaints. A national call centre is expected to launch in September.
In addition, the Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) allows Nigerians in the diaspora to buy insurance for their families and communities at home, further expanding the coverage pool.
Looking Ahead
Nigeria’s presidential target of 20 million enrollees by 2027 has already been met, Oloriegbe disclosed, but the agency is now working toward covering half of the population by 2030.
For that vision to materialise, he emphasised, government must increase budgetary allocation to health in line with the Abuja Declaration, while private and informal sector contributions strengthen financing.
“Our focus is not just on expanding coverage,” he said, “but on ensuring that health insurance in Nigeria delivers real value and quality care to the people.”
