In a major milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare reform, the Federal Government has officially inaugurated the first-ever Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), marking a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The inauguration, held in Abuja, follows the passage of the NHIA Act in 2022, which transformed the former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) into a more autonomous and empowered Authority. The Act mandates the establishment of a Governing Council to provide inclusive, transparent, and accountable oversight of the NHIA’s operations.
A Stronger Mandate for Affordable Healthcare
The NHIA Act grants the Authority a clear mandate: to mobilise financial resources for the strategic purchasing of affordable, quality healthcare for all Nigerians. Central to this reform is the expansion of coverage, particularly among informal sector workers and vulnerable populations, through initiatives such as the Vulnerable Group Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
A key innovation of the NHIA Act is the Council’s inclusive structure. The newly inaugurated Council includes representatives from civil society, organised labour, the military, and government ministries, ensuring that a wide range of voices guide the Authority’s strategic direction.
Council Members
The Governing Council is chaired by Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, a former senator and public health expert, appointed in March 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Other members include:
- Dr. Kamil Shoretire, Director, Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Idris Babatunde Solebo, representing the Armed Forces
- Comrade Kabiru Ado Sani, representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
- Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch (civil society representative)
- Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General/CEO, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)
- Additional representatives from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Federal Ministry of Finance
A People-Centred Agenda
At the inauguration, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, praised NHIA Director General Dr. Kelechi Ohiri for the Authority’s ongoing reforms, particularly the Fistula-Free Programme (FFP). The FFP provides holistic care for women with obstetric fistula, covering surgical treatment, transportation, post-operative care, and health insurance enrolment, setting a new standard for people-centred service delivery.
“The reforms underway are not just about structures—they are about people,” said Prof. Pate. “The Council has a critical role to ensure that the NHIA delivers equitable, quality healthcare, especially for the most vulnerable.”
Expanding Access and Accountability
The Governing Council is charged with providing strategic leadership, governance, and oversight to help NHIA fulfil its mission. With health insurance now mandatory under the NHIA Act, the Council’s top priorities include:
- Expanding enrolment, especially in the informal sector
- Ensuring financial protection through effective deployment of health funds
- Eliminating disparities in access to care
- Strengthening transparency and accountability in fund management and service delivery
Council Chairman Dr. Oloriegbe reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “No Nigerian should be excluded from accessing affordable healthcare. Our work will be focused on advancing equity and ensuring that health insurance reaches those who need it most.”
A Turning Point in Health Financing
The inauguration of the NHIA Governing Council represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s health financing journey. With its inclusive composition, strengthened mandate, and renewed focus on equity and impact, the Council is set to guide the NHIA toward realising the promise of universal, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
As the Council begins its work, it signals a new era for health insurance governance—anchored in people-centred innovation, strategic resource mobilisation, and a shared vision for a healthier Nigeria.
