The National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, says it has surpassed its 2025 enrolment target, with more than 21 million Nigerians now covered under various health insurance schemes nationwide.
NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during a stakeholder engagement meeting with self-financing government agencies.
The meeting brought together desk officers and focal persons from self-paying Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to deepen collaboration and understanding of the health insurance system.
Represented by Mr. Nuhu Ajodi, Director of the Formal Sector Department, Ohiri said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made major progress in expanding health coverage and improving access to quality care.
“We have grown from fewer than 12 million enrollees to over 21 million, surpassing the presidential target for 2025,” Ohiri said.
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She explained that reforms under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 have made health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians and strengthened the agency’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
Ohiri noted that the engagement with self-paying agencies aims to equip focal persons with the knowledge to ensure transparency in premium computation and promote operational efficiency.
“Our desk officers act as NHIA ambassadors within their organisations. They serve as the first point of contact for enrollees facing challenges and must be prepared to respond effectively,” she added.
She said the Authority would continue its week-long stakeholder engagements with Treasury-funded agencies and the organised private sector to further extend health coverage across the country.
The NHIA boss explained that the session would help participants understand how premiums are calculated based on staff strength and salary levels, which would improve budget planning and transparency.
“The meeting strengthens collaboration between NHIA and self-paying agencies, improves communication, and enhances knowledge-sharing to ensure that every eligible Nigerian enjoys continuous access to quality healthcare,” she said.
The engagement forms part of NHIA’s broader efforts to build strong partnerships and implement reforms that improve efficiency, coverage, and the quality of healthcare nationwide.
