President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory implementation of health insurance across Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022. The directive underscores the government’s renewed commitment to achieving universal health coverage for Nigerians.
The announcement came through a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday. According to him, the NHIA Act of 2022 makes health insurance compulsory for every Nigerian and empowers the authority to enforce compliance nationwide.
Following the directive, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will issue a service-wide circular to ensure all MDAs adhere to the policy. Tinubu also emphasized the importance of engaging the private sector to guarantee that businesses operate without unnecessary constraints under the Act.
The President’s order highlights five major areas. First, every MDA must enroll its employees in the NHIA health insurance plan. They may, however, opt for additional private insurance in line with the Act. Second, entities participating in public procurement must now present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility requirements. This certificate serves as proof of compliance with the new directive.
Additionally, MDAs will require applicants for licenses, permits, and other official approvals to present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates. To strengthen transparency, the NHIA will introduce a digital verification platform that enables easy confirmation of certificates.
Furthermore, all MDAs must collaborate with NHIA to develop internal verification processes and ensure strict compliance monitoring.
By making health insurance mandatory across government agencies, the Tinubu administration aims to expand access to quality healthcare and ensure Nigerians enjoy better protection under a unified health coverage system.
