By Ojoma Akor
The National Health Insurance Authority NHIA is working with regulatory agencies to enforce mandatory health insurance, increase public awareness, and rebuild trust in the healthcare system in the country.
Director of the Formal Sector Department of the agency, Pharm. Nuhu Ajodi disclosed this Thursday in Abuja during the agency’s workshop for self-paying agencies.
He said recently, there was a presidential pronouncement and circularization of mandatory health insurance.
“Recall that the initial legal framework that midwifed the National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS) was repealed, and the new one which is NHIA Act 2022 made health insurance compulsory in Nigeria.”
He noted that before the implementation of the NHIA Act in 2022, coverage remained stagnant for almost twenty years.
He said the director general of the agency, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri had unveiled various new programmes such as the obstetric fistula care program and an emergency care initiative aimed at assisting women experiencing obstetric complications, to eliminate financial obstacles to essential care.
He highlighted that the NHIA is committed to helping more Nigerians overcome poverty, especially from catastrophic health expenditure, adding that this is clearly outlined by the DG/CEO on resumption of duty after confirmation by the senate in four key pillars.
He said they are expanding health insurance coverage, which has increased to over 21.1 million as of August 2025, and improved equity by implementing subsidies for the vulnerable through the BHCPF and also integrated health insurance into social safety nets.
Ajodi said Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn care (CEmONC) and the Fistula Free Programme (FFP) have provided hope and access to care for thousands of women across the various states.
He said, “the NHIA has made notable progress in expanding enrollment through this new framework, focusing on including vulnerable groups via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).”
“Improving the quality of healthcare services through strategic purchasing.
“Enhancing market efficiency through effective risk pools, ensuring capital adequacy, and unlocking private sector potentials for sustainable health insurance.”
The NHIA director of the formal sector department added that to achieve all these, the agency leverages key enablers such as citizen engagement exemplified by sensitization workshop geared towards improving the level of awareness for Nigerians and further enhancing the trust and collaboration with the various stakeholders.
Ogboi Juliana, Assistant Desk Officer for NHIS at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said the sensitization programme has clarified many grey areas.
She said, “it helped us understand the right complaint channels and the importance of compliance. When we pay our five percent mandatory contribution, we make it possible for every staff member — even those who cannot afford private coverage — to access quality healthcare. Going forward, we expect prompt attention, access to genuine drugs, and improved coordination between hospitals and HMOs.”
