For years, Nigeria’s health-insurance landscape has been driven more by optimism than widespread adoption. But that narrative is shifting. Regulatory reforms, rising consumer awareness, and expanding digital innovation are pushing health insurance closer to the mainstream.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reports that 83 HMOs are currently accredited—though the figure fluctuates with ongoing regulatory reviews. Enrollment is also rising sharply. Within a year, the NHIA says the number of Nigerians registered under formal health-insurance schemes jumped from 16.7 million to 19.2 million, marking a 40% surge and signaling growing public trust.
Yet penetration remains low. Fewer than 10% of Nigerians are covered under any formal health-insurance plan, underscoring the sector’s vast growth potential.
At the same time, HMOs are aggressively modernising. Many now operate mobile-first platforms that allow users to manage their plans, view hospital networks, access telemedicine, submit claims, and receive reminders—all without visiting an office. These tech-driven innovations are transforming user experience and helping insurers scale more efficiently.
Still, the sector faces pressure. Escalating drug prices and shrinking margins for hospitals have forced some HMOs to adjust premiums upward. Despite the strain, HMOs continue to play a central role in providing financial protection against routine and emergency medical expenses.
To identify the top 10 HMOs most suited for buying health insurance in 2025, we prioritised digital convenience, breadth of coverage, and consumer traction—measured through mobile-app downloads and usability
Clearline HMO: A Nationwide Network Backed by Digital Convenience
With almost three decades of experience, Clearline HMO has developed one of the country’s most extensive provider networks, offering access to more than 1,400 partner hospitals nationwide. The organisation has also invested heavily in digital tools, ensuring users can manage every aspect of their health plan through its mobile app—from claims submission to hospital directory searches.
Clearline serves retail, SME, corporate, and tertiary-institution clients. Its entry-level retail plan, KiaKia, provides 24/7 telemedicine-only consultations for ₦3,000, making it one of the most affordable virtual-care products in the country. At the premium end, Clear Elite offers comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, surgical, maternal, neonatal, psychiatric, and advanced diagnostic benefits—including CT and MRI scans—at ₦341,087 annually for individuals.
The HMO is fully accredited by the NHIA, with accreditation code 3.
Here’s a complete Top 10 HMOs list for health insurance in Nigeria (2025), building on your criteria (digital strength, coverage, traction). Note: because publicly available data on app downloads is limited, some picks are based on reputation, innovation, and market leadership.
Top 10 HMOs to Consider in Nigeria (2025)
- Clearline HMO
- As you already highlighted: ~30 years of experience, 1,400+ hospitals in its network.
- Strong digital presence via mobile app: manage plan details, submit claims, access hospital directories.
- Retail plans range from very affordable telemedicine-only to comprehensive plans with inpatient, maternity, diagnostics, etc.
- Hygeia HMO
- One of the most established and recognized HMOs in Nigeria. (HYGEIA HMO)
- Covers individuals, families, SMEs, and corporate clients. (HYGEIA HMO)
- Offers a wide variety of plans (e.g., HyEase, HyBasic, HyStarter, HyMat) that cater to different income levels and healthcare needs. (HYGEIA HMO)
- Strong brand and provider network; known for quality and trust. (The Guardian Nigeria)
- Leadway Health (Leadway HMO)
- A newer but very tech-forward HMO. Their app enables telemedicine, hospital-booking, and claims management. (Leadway Health)
- They provide “advanced pharmacy benefits”: drug delivery for chronic patients, or pickup from partner pharmacies. (Leadway Health)
- They won the “HMO of the Year” award in 2025. (The Nation Newspaper)
- Their model is very customer-oriented, focusing on smart, digital-first care. (Leadway Health)
- AXA Mansard Health (AXA Mansard HMO)
- A well-known global insurer operating in Nigeria. According to rankings, it’s often among the top HMOs. (SemicHealth)
- Offers flexible plans, including telemedicine, maternity, lab tests, optical, and more. (Socialander)
- Their “EasyCare” tier is very accessible for lower-premium users. (Nairametrics)
- Wellness Health Management Services (Wellness HMO)
- Very affordable entry-level plans. As per Nairametrics, their “Wellness Basic” plan is among the cheapest. (Nairametrics)
- Offers plans for individuals, families, corporate, and even senior citizens. (wellnesshealthcare.com.ng)
- Good for people who want coverage without breaking the bank, especially on outpatient care.
- Well Health Network Ltd
- Another low-cost HMO that’s popular in affordability rankings. Nairametrics puts their basic plan among the cheapest. (Nairametrics)
- Lik to appeal to users who want very low-premium plans while still getting formal health-insurance protection.
- Novo Health Africa
- Known for very affordable plans; according to multiple sources, their base plan costs ~₦25,200/year. (Nairametrics)
- Good reach, and their model is designed to serve both individuals and SMEs.
- Ronsberger HMO
- Appears in several affordability rankings. (Nairametrics)
- Accredited by NHIA, and serves government departments, individuals, and private organizations. (Socialander)
- A solid pick for people who are looking for structured, reliable HMO plans with a long history.
- Hallmark HMO
- Frequently mentioned in “top HMOs” lists, especially for individual and family plans. (Socialander)
- Also low-cost options, including a “Zircon” plan. (Nairametrics)
- Known for good service and network coverage.
- Baston Health Limited (Baston HMO)
- Listed among the NHIA-accredited HMOs. (nhia.gov.ng)
- While not always at the top of affordability rankings, it’s well-recognized and has a growing presence in the managed-care space.
- May appeal to more risk-averse buyers who want a stable, established HMO with a strong provider network.
Analysis & Observations
- Digital and mobile experience is a key differentiator: HMOs like Clearline and Leadway are pushing digital tools (apps, telemedicine) as a core part of their offering. This aligns well with your criteria.
- Affordability is still crucial: Many strong HMOs are competing on low-cost, entry-level plans (Wellness, Well Health, Novo) — reflecting demand from individuals, low- and mid-income earners.
- Reputation matters: Long-standing HMOs like Hygeia and AXA Mansard remain very relevant because of their credibility, huge provider networks, and broad plan variety.
- Regulatory risk: It’s worth noting that compliance is not guaranteed — the NHIA recently sanctioned many HMOs. (ICIR News) That makes it important to check recent performance and reviews before committing.
