President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to circulate a directive compelling all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enforce mandatory health insurance under the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.
The order, which targets both the public and private sectors, covers five key areas:
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Compulsory staff enrolment: All MDAs must enrol employees under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme, with the option of supplementary private cover.
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Procurement compliance: Contractors bidding for government projects must show a valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificate.
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Licensing requirement: Applicants for licenses, permits or approvals from MDAs must present an NHIA certificate.
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Digital verification: The NHIA will roll out an online platform for easy authentication of certificates.
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Tighter monitoring: MDAs must work with NHIA to establish internal verification procedures.
While pushing for strict compliance, Tinubu urged “constructive engagement” with the private sector to avoid overburdening businesses.
The move aims to expand coverage, reduce out-of-pocket medical costs, and enhance accountability in government and business dealings.
Despite the 2022 Act making health insurance compulsory, coverage across Nigeria remains low three years on.
