President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe as the Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), with the appointment taking effect from March 11, 2025.
The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, Oloriegbe’s appointment as NHIA chairman is for an initial term of four years, subject to renewal based on performance.
Dr. Oloriegbe, a former senator who represented Kwara Central Senatorial District in the Ninth National Assembly, brings a wealth of experience in health policy, legislation, and medical practice. He served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health from 2019 to 2023 and also chaired the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health, where he played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policies, particularly in the strengthening of Nigeria’s health insurance framework.
A medical doctor by profession, Oloriegbe holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. He also obtained a Master’s degree in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, in collaboration with HEC Paris, an institution renowned for its leadership and executive education programs.
Beyond his legislative and academic background, Oloriegbe is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), the Nigeria Venereal Disease Association, the Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria, the International AIDS Society (IAS), and the Africa Health Leadership and Management Network.
His appointment comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, with the NHIA playing a central role in expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare services through health insurance schemes. Stakeholders have expressed optimism that his expertise and legislative experience will drive meaningful reforms in the country’s health insurance system.
With this new role, Oloriegbe is expected to lead the NHIA in enhancing universal health coverage, improving access to healthcare services for underserved populations, and ensuring the effective implementation of national health insurance policies in alignment with the government’s broader health sector agenda.
