FG To Enrol 44m Nigerians Into National Health Insurance Scheme By 2030

The Federal Government has announced plans to enrol at least 44 million Nigerians into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by 2030, a move aimed at reducing the nation’s high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, revealed this during the opening of the four-day National Health Financing Policy Dialogue in Abuja, themed “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria.” He stated that the initiative would significantly ease the financial burden on Nigerians seeking medical care.

The policy dialogue brings together policymakers, health financing experts, civil society representatives, development partners, academia, the private sector, and health insurance officials to develop a comprehensive strategy for stronger, more resilient health financing systems.

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Dr. Salako highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering domestic health financing while reducing reliance on foreign aid. He noted that Nigeria’s total health expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased from 3.4 percent in 2013 to 5.03 percent in 2024.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains dedicated to evolving legislation, regulations, and policies to ensure effective implementation,” Salako said. “Central to this is the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, which mandates health insurance for all Nigerians and seeks to expand coverage beyond the previous five percent of the population. The Act also established the Vulnerable Group Fund to support those unable to afford premiums.”

He added that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), established under the 2014 National Health Act, allocates one percent of consolidated federal revenue to provide quality healthcare for the poor and vulnerable. The Ministry is considering requesting the National Assembly to increase BHCPF funding from one percent to at least two percent of consolidated revenue.

“Under the Presidential Performance Agreement, a key deliverable for the Ministry is to enrol 44 million Nigerians into the NHIS by 2030. This will reduce out-of-pocket expenditure, currently at about 70 percent. Our focus remains on strengthening the framework, expanding coverage, ensuring sustainability, and addressing challenges such as inadequate budget allocations, systemic inefficiencies, fragmented programs, and limited reliable data,” he said.

Dr. Salako reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare without financial hardship.

In his address, the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kelechi Ohiri, confirmed the agency’s dedication to expanding financial protection for Nigerians and reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments.

Ohiri explained that the dialogue aims to enhance accountability, unlock private sector participation, deepen state-level engagement, and strengthen strategic partnerships.

“The four-day sessions are deliberately designed to place people at the centre of Nigeria’s health financing discussions,” he said. “At the NHIA, our mission aligns with the broader health sector reform agenda of the Honourable Minister of Health and the vision of the President. We are committed to expanding financial protection for all Nigerians, ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are not left behind.”

Ohiri described the event as both a call to action and a call to collaborate, emphasizing that sustainable and equitable health financing would require a collective effort from government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and academia.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, stressed the need for increased domestic investment in healthcare. He warned that Nigeria cannot continue relying on foreign aid to strengthen its health system and urged civil society organizations to uphold accountability while advancing Universal Health Coverage.

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