The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has introduced sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping healthcare financing in Nigeria, with significant increases in hospital capitation payments and insurance premiums under its social health programmes.
Speaking at the NHIA Stakeholders’ Forum held on September 24, 2025, at the NECA Building in Lagos, Dr. Bethuel-Kasimu Abraham, NHIA’s State Coordinator for Ikeja, described the recent changes as a “landmark transformation” in the authority’s operations and policy direction.
The forum, themed “Cutting Edge Advances in NHIA and Stakeholder Satisfaction: Cross-learning Exchange of Knowledge and Experience,” highlighted key policy and technological innovations that have redefined how the NHIA engages healthcare providers and enrollees.
“We’ve seen changes in NHIA that we have not witnessed before now,” Dr. Abraham stated. “These reforms are critical, and the public must be made aware of what they mean for access, affordability, and quality of care.”
Under the revised structure, premiums for the Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) have increased from ₦22,000 to ₦38,718 per person annually. The adjustment, according to Dr. Abraham, ensures that private subscribers now enjoy the same benefit package as government workers.
The reform also includes a major increase in hospital capitation payments — the monthly amount paid to healthcare providers per enrollee — which has risen from ₦750 to ₦1,400, representing nearly a 100 percent hike.
“This increase reflects the true value of healthcare services and enables hospitals to deliver better quality care,” Dr. Abraham explained. “Hospitals are being paid more so they can provide better services, and the new premium aligns with that improved standard.”
He emphasized that the changes are part of NHIA’s broader effort to make health insurance more equitable and sustainable while improving transparency and service delivery across the system.
Dr. Abraham also reaffirmed NHIA’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage by 2030, noting that the authority has implemented several technological upgrades and policy reforms over the past two years to improve efficiency and stakeholder engagement.
“The NHIA scheme is now compulsory, offering flexible premium options for all Nigerians,” he said. “By engaging directly with stakeholders, we build trust and ensure that people understand the value and purpose behind these reforms.”
The NHIA’s latest policy shift underscores the federal government’s renewed focus on expanding healthcare access and improving outcomes through sustainable financing mechanisms.
