Tinubu orders mandatory health insurance implementation across MDAs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to issue a service-wide circular mandating all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement compulsory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022. A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to issue a service-wide circular mandating all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement compulsory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.

A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said MDAs are to enroll their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) plan.

Where necessary, they may provide supplementary private insurance coverage as permitted by the Act.

Onanuga added that all entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility requirements.

• 2027: Tinubu must be smiling at North’s disunity – Kwankwaso’s ally
• N816bn bond ‘ll restore confidence in pension sector – Minister

The certificate will serve as proof of compliance and a condition for engaging in procurement processes.

Similarly, MDAs must require applicants to present NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a precondition for issuing or renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.

To ensure compliance, the NHIA will establish a digital platform for certificate verification, while MDAs are to develop internal procedures to authenticate submissions.

The directive, the presidency said, aims to expand health coverage, reduce out-of-pocket spending, safeguard workers, and enhance accountability in public and private engagements.

The NHIA Act, 2022, makes health insurance compulsory and empowers the NHIA to ensure universal coverage across Nigeria.