President Bola Tinubu has instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) 2022, making health coverage compulsory for government employees and integrating insurance compliance into official processes.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to circulate a mandatory compliance notice across MDAs.
The order includes five core measures:
- Staff enrollment: All MDAs must enrol employees into the NHIA health plan, with optional supplementary private insurance.
- Procurement compliance: Contractors and vendors must present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates to qualify for procurement bids.
- Licensing requirements: Applicants for licenses, permits, and approvals must provide valid NHIA Certificates.
- Digital verification: NHIA will roll out an online portal for certificate authentication.
- Internal monitoring: MDAs must develop verification mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure compliance.
Tinubu explained that these directives are designed to expand healthcare access, protect workers, lower out-of-pocket expenses, and enforce accountability.
The NHIA Act, signed into law on May 19, 2022, repealed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act of 1999, creating a broader system aimed at universal health coverage (UHC). The law also established a Vulnerable Group Fund to support the poor and disadvantaged.
Despite this framework, actual coverage remains low, with only about 10% of Nigerians enrolled under the former NHIS, making the current directive crucial for improving participation.
