BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA
The Federal Government has formally inaugurated the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), declaring the agency a central pillar in Nigeria’s drive to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on citizens and, achieve universal health coverage.
This was contained in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Head, Press and Public Relations.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, was performed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who emphasized the strategic role of the NHIA in improving access to affordable and quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.
“This is a very important milestone,” Professor Pate said, adding, “The NHIA is not just a prestigious institution within the federal government structure; it is a strategic instrument to achieve financial protection in health and expand coverage to millions of Nigerians.”
The Minister commended the presence of high-level political figures, including serving and former senators, particularly Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who chairs the newly inaugurated council and played a significant role in the passage of the National Health Insurance Authority Act in 2022.
Pate highlighted the progress made under the current NHIA leadership, including: enrollment of over four million Nigerians into health insurance within the past 18 months. expansion of the Vulnerable Group Fund.
Free treatment for over 4,000 women undergoing emergency cesarean sections.
Increased access to services such as fistula repair.
“These achievements reflect a promising trajectory,” he said. “If we can expand coverage to 50 million Nigerians over the coming years, it will reshape the health system, reducing costs for families while strengthening healthcare providers, boosting employment, and stimulating local pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
“Quality health is not cheap. The public financing of healthcare in Nigeria remains under $20 per person annually. We must confront the reality of what we can pay for, for whom, and how to ensure no Nigerian is left behind,” he stated.
According to the coordinating minister, the forthcoming health financing summit, to be convened by the NHIA in collaboration with the Health Ministry and stakeholders, will focus on expanding domestic funding, integrating state and private sector efforts, and ensuring smarter purchasing of health services under the framework of mandatory health insurance.
In his charge to the council, Professor Pate urged members to bring their diverse expertise to bear in overseeing and guiding the NHIA.
He described Senator Oloriegbe as a “co-architect of health sector reform” since 2004 and praised the NHIA Director-General for demonstrating global and domestic competence in driving reform.
“All of us at the Ministry, including myself, the Permanent Secretary, and our Directors stand ready to support you in delivering on this critical mandate from the President,” the Coordinating Minister affirmed.
Speaking on the Ministry’s commitment to oversight and support, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom mni described the inauguration as a “long-awaited day,” expressing pride in the NHIA’s performance and urging council members to uphold the provisions of the NHIA Act.
“We’ve been talking about universal health for years,” she said. “Now is the time to consolidate those efforts. You have the legal tools and institutional support needed to achieve great results.”
Speaking on behalf of statutory members of NHIA Governing Council, the Chairman Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe pledged that they will serve diligently to contribute to the achievement of President Bola Ahmed’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
“Our role is to provide strategic direction, governance and oversight to the NHIA, ensuring its mission ‘to mobilise and pool financial resources for the strategic purchasing of affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians’ is not only achieved but that Nigeria Is on the path of achieving Universal Health Coverage UHC where no one is left behind”.
The inauguration of the NHIA Governing Council signals a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to deepen health insurance penetration, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and build a sustainable healthcare financing system for Nigeria. With strong legal backing, institutional leadership, and political support, the NHIA is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive and resilient national health system.