The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that 19.2 million citizens have enrolled in health insurance schemes, exceeding its 2024 target. Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of the NHIA, made this announcement in Abuja during a roundtable discussion for the commemoration of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day. The event aimed to assess Nigeria’s progress toward UHC, address challenges, and outline a path forward.
The roundtable, part of the 2024 UHC Day celebrations, highlighted key milestones in Nigeria’s healthcare journey. Dr. Ohiri called the 19.2 million enrollments a significant achievement, demonstrating the NHIA’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access for Nigerians. He noted that this success not only surpassed the 2024 goal but also brings the country to 95% of its ambitious target for 2027.
The NHIA Director-General credited the accomplishment to strategic policy reforms, strong collaborations with stakeholders, and a steadfast commitment to achieving universal health coverage for all Nigerians.
“We are proud to announce that 19.2 million Nigerians have been covered by health insurance.
“This surpasses our 2024 target and places us within striking distance of achieving 95 per cent of the 2027 presidential target,” he said.
He said that the NHIA had worked tirelessly to implement innovative strategies.
“This includes the expansion of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and partnerships with state health insurance agencies to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable populations,” he said.
According to him, the milestone reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare as outlined in the National Health Act.
He urged state governments and private sector stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at sustaining the momentum and bridging the remaining gaps in health insurance coverage.
He said that the achievement came amid ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including funding limitations, infrastructure deficits, and inadequate human resources
However, the NHIA boss expressed optimism, noting that the agency’s strategic roadmap for 2025–2027 includes scaling up digital enrollment processes and integrating informal sector workers into the insurance scheme.
“With the theme of this year’s UHC Day, health should reflect the type of government the country has and must make decisions that represent its aspirations.
“We should prioritise Primary Health Care,(PHC), as the bedrock of our health system,” he said.
The Commissioner for Health in Yobe, Dr. Muhammad Lawal, emphasized that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is achievable and must remain a priority. He stressed that the health of the people, particularly the most vulnerable, should never be compromised.
Dr. Bolanle Olusola-Faleye from the USAID LHSS Project highlighted that the 2024 UHC Day comes at a pivotal moment, thanks to key reforms like the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). She pointed out that SWAp has demonstrated success in various states, particularly through the harmonized Annual Operational Plan, which ensures alignment of healthcare priorities.
Public health advocates have praised the progress made, calling it a significant step toward achieving UHC in Nigeria. Dr. Garfa Alawode, co-convener of the UHC2023 Forum, acknowledged the achievement but emphasized that more work remains to ensure every Nigerian has access to affordable, quality healthcare.
As the country moves closer to its 2027 health insurance target, Alawode urged for continued political commitment, increased funding, and effective monitoring to ensure long-term success.
“This is to ensure that the gains are not only maintained but also translated into improved health outcomes for all citizens ” he said.
NAN recalls that UHC Day is a global advocacy day to raise awareness about the importance of equitable, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all individuals without financial hardship.
