Tinubu orders mandatory health insurance across MDAs

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive mandating the implementation of compulsory health insurance across all Federal Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in accordance with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.

According to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to circulate a service-wide directive requiring all MDAs to enroll their employees under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) health insurance plan. MDAs may also opt for supplementary private insurance aligned with the NHIA Act.

A key component of the directive mandates that all entities involved in public procurement must present a valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificate to qualify for eligibility and further engagement in government contracts. Similarly, applicants for licenses, permits, and other official approvals must provide valid NHIA certificates as a precondition for issuance and renewal.

To enhance transparency and ease of verification, the NHIA will develop a digital platform for authenticating Health Insurance Certificates. MDAs are also tasked to coordinate with the NHIA to implement internal procedures for verifying certificate authenticity and to ensure rigorous compliance monitoring.

While enforcing mandatory health insurance, President Tinubu stressed the need for close, constructive dialogue with the private sector to avoid undue constraints on business.

The presidential directive aims to expand health coverage for Nigerians, protect workers, reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses, and promote accountability in both public and private sectors.

Despite the passage of the National Health Insurance Act three years ago, Nigeria’s national health insurance coverage remains low, a challenge the government seeks to address through this renewed enforcement.