Health insurance has become a compulsory requirement for doing business with the Federal Government, as President Bola Tinubu has directed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to enforce compliance with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act in procurement processes, licensing, and other official approvals.
The directive, announced at the National Health Financing Dialogue in Abuja, is aimed at expanding coverage, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and safeguarding workers across the country.
Kelechi Ohiri, Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), on Wednesday, explained that the Presidential directive mandates MDAs to ensure that all individuals and entities seeking licenses, permits, or participating in government contracts present valid NHIA-issued health insurance certificates as proof of compliance with the NHIA Act 2022.
“This is not a tax. It is a measure designed to protect Nigerians from catastrophic healthcare costs.
“The President’s directive covers five key areas, including making NHIA health insurance plans compulsory, ensuring procurement participants show valid health insurance certificates, and establishing a digital platform for verification to promote transparency and accountability”, Ohiri said.
According to him, the move is aimed at safeguarding workers, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and accelerating Nigeria’s progress toward universal health coverage.
He stressed that compliance will now be a precondition for government transactions, including procurement processes, licensing, and permits.
The NHIA boss emphasized that the success of the directive would require a “whole-of-government” approach.
“We are grateful that the President has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular to enforce this measure.
This will ensure that compliance with mandatory health insurance becomes standard practice across government,” he noted.
He also underscored the importance of private sector collaboration, pointing out that the directive encourages businesses to view health insurance not as a burden, but as a strategic investment in human capital that boosts workforce productivity.
Three years after the enactment of the NHIA Act, coverage levels remain low, but Ohiri is optimistic that this directive will drive compliance and broaden coverage nationwide.
Development partners also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health financing system.
Representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mary Brantuo,
said stakeholders must focus on reducing catastrophic health expenditures, which currently stand at 20 per cent and improving Nigeria’s Universal Health Service Index, now at 38 out of 100.
Brantuo highlighted commitments made by various groups: the National Assembly pledged to support NHIA through appropriations and constituency-level health insurance performance indicators; local governments agreed to ensure the timely release of counterpart funds and mobilise resources; while federal and sub-national governments will work to harmonise financing strategies and integrate external funding into domestic systems.
Civil society groups, she added, would intensify community engagement to increase enrollment, particularly in the informal sector.
She also noted that development partners will continue to align external aid with domestic priorities through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and other reforms, stressing that their role is not just financial aid but a “strategic partnership” to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
“With these reforms and commitments, Nigeria has a real chance to make universal health coverage a reality,” Brantuo said.
