Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, head of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has said the agency is now working with state governments and private companies to fully enforce the mandatory health insurance policy in Nigeria.
He explained that before the health insurance law was changed two years ago, joining a health insurance plan was optional. This made coverage very low, especially among private businesses.
Speaking to Reporters, Dr. Ohiri said that now that health insurance is required by law, making sure everyone follows the rule is a top priority.
He said the NHIA is partnering with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and several states, like Lagos, to create systems that will help enforce the law nationwide.
He added, “To get people to sign up, health insurance must be made compulsory, and the rule must be enforced.”
“That’s why we’re working with federal and state governments to set up the systems needed for this,” he said.
Dr. Ohiri also said that apart from enforcement, NHIA is trying to educate people about the benefits of health insurance.
He said many people don’t realize the importance of insurance until they get sick and have to pay hospital bills themselves, which can be very expensive.
It’s actually cheaper to pay for health insurance in advance than to wait until you’re sick and then pay out of pocket,” he explained.
He emphasized that one key plan is to build public trust in the insurance system.
To improve quality of care, reduce complaints, and give people better value for their money, NHIA recently increased how much it pays to healthcare providers.
“When people go to the hospital and get good care, they start to trust the insurance system. That’s why we raised the payments to hospitals,” he said.
To encourage more private sector workers to enroll, NHIA is talking with employer groups like the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and other business organizations.
He added that NHIA is not only relying on enforcement, but is also promoting the policy through public campaigns.
He said, “We’re making it easy for individuals, small businesses, and groups to join. If you’re a trader or mechanic, you can register through your association. If you’re a student, we’re working with schools to add health insurance to their programs.”
Dr. Ohiri said NHIA is using many strategies—like rules, education, partnerships, and system planning—to create a better and more fair health insurance system in Nigeria.
He said educating the public is very important and asked the media and other partners to help raise awareness.
He said it’s important for Nigerians to understand that health insurance is a cheaper and more reliable way to get healthcare.
“We are making it simple for everyone—individuals, families, and small businesses—to enroll. Whether you’re a student, mechanic, or trader, we’re setting up ways for you to join through your group or on your own,” he said.
Talking about recent progress, Dr. Ohiri said that although there have been problems in the past 20 years, the last year has seen the biggest growth in health insurance coverage.
He said that when the current NHIA leadership took over in 2023, about 16.7 million Nigerians were covered by health insurance. That number has now grown to 19.4 million—nearly 3 million more people in just one year.
He said this increase happened because of strong partnerships with state governments and public education efforts. Raising awareness, he said, has been key to helping people see the value of health insurance.
