The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, says the agency has intensified reforms to make health insurance in Nigeria more equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable citizens.
He made the remarks at the Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector held on Thursday in Abuja.
The JAR 2025 serves as a platform to assess progress, share lessons, and drive accountability across Nigeria’s health sector. The theme for this year’s review, “All Hands One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light,” underscores the strength of Nigerians, the resilience of the healthcare system, and the dedication of front-line health workers nationwide.
Dr. Ohiri said NHIA’s strategic vision rests on four pillars: expanding coverage, enhancing equity, improving service quality, and creating a sustainable, accessible, and inclusive health insurance market for all Nigerians.
According to him, health insurance coverage has increased from 16.2 million people in December 2023 to about 21 million in 2025—representing a compounded annual growth rate of roughly 10 per cent.
He noted that this progress is largely driven by state health insurance agencies, which focus on enrolling poor and vulnerable populations, ensuring that expansion efforts prioritize those most in need.
“We are seeing a strong focus on equity. Expansion is not limited to wealthy citizens but prioritizes poor and vulnerable populations, reflecting NHIA’s consistent commitment to universal health coverage,” he said.
Ohiri added that President Bola Tinubu’s directive on compulsory federal employee enrollment, recently formalized through a circular, has strengthened enforcement of the health insurance mandate across all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He disclosed that NHIA had launched a enrollment digital portal to simplify registration and build citizens’ trust through new service charters, regular monitoring visits, and support to accredited health facilities nationwide.
“The Authority has also improved transparency and accountability by making National Identification Numbers (NINs) mandatory for enrollment, while harmonizing accreditation processes to ensure revitalized health facilities meet consistent quality standards,” he said.
Highlighting equity-driven programmes, Ohiri mentioned the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0), maternal and newborn health initiatives, and the integration of HIV and tuberculosis services with support from the Global Fund.
He cited data showing private Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) driving growth, with the following enrolment figures: AXA Mansard – 368,421; United Healthcare – 304,763; Reliance – 266,077; Hygeia – 183,226; Leadway – 152,990; Total Health Trust – 86,657; and Bastion Health – 86,625.
“Other HMOs, including Avon, NNPC, Sunu Health, HCI Healthcare, and Bonitas HMO, have smaller enrolments, reflecting NHIA’s ongoing efforts to ensure equitable distribution and competition among private health maintenance organisations,” he noted.
Ohiri said NHIA reforms have also improved efficiency, with the share of premium funds used for actual medical services rising from 50 per cent to 71.25 per cent—reducing overheads and allowing more Nigerians to access essential healthcare benefits.
“We are rebuilding citizens’ trust in the insurance system, ensuring transparency in enrollment, improving service quality, and promoting financial protection for all Nigerians across public and private health institutions,” he stated.
He emphasized that NHIA would continue to collaborate with private sector partners, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to advance sustainable health financing and strengthen the national health insurance framework.
Ohiri reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage through innovation, digital transformation, and equity-focused reforms aimed at delivering accessible, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services to all Nigerians.
