LAGOS — The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that it has exceeded the Federal Government’s 2027 target for health insurance enrolment by 99%, achieving this milestone two years ahead of schedule.
The announcement was made during a media briefing at the 2024/25 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) held in Lagos last week.
Speaking on behalf of the NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Acting Director, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar Haruna, revealed that the agency had enrolled over 20 million Nigerians under the health insurance scheme within the last two years—far surpassing expectations.
“This figure reflects a 99% achievement of the 2027 presidential mandate,” Haruna said, emphasizing the agency’s accelerated progress in expanding coverage across the country.
Dr. Ohiri, in a prepared statement, further disclosed that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has also seen a significant boost, with an additional 800,000 beneficiaries enrolled, bringing the total number under the fund to 2.6 million as of May 2025.
Expanded Coverage for Critical Conditions
As part of its broader strategy, NHIA has extended health insurance coverage to include vulnerable groups and patients with chronic conditions. This includes People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and tuberculosis (TB) patients, with pilot programs currently underway in four states.
Tackling Drug Shortages and Delays in Care
Ohiri noted that the Authority is not only focused on enrolment numbers but is also working to improve service quality and accessibility. To address ongoing challenges such as drug shortages and delays in medical care, NHIA has launched a multi-project strategy aimed at enhancing efficiency and delivery across the system.
“NHIA remains committed to expanding coverage, improving the quality of care, and protecting the rights of enrollees,” he said. “We are strategically deploying health insurance in ways that save lives and deliver long-term value to Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
As of June 2025, the Authority officially recorded 20 million active enrollees, marking a major leap from the 16.8 million registered in 2023. The growth, Ohiri noted, was the result of collaboration among state health insurance agencies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and the NHIA.
“This achievement is a reflection of coordinated national efforts and a testament to what is possible when government agencies work toward a unified goal,” he concluded.
