In a major push to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, the Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), setting the stage for accelerated progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The event, held in Abuja, was presided over by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who described the moment as a turning point for health reform in the country. He emphasized that the NHIA has now become a frontline institution for achieving equity, access, and financial protection in healthcare.
“This is more than an inauguration—it’s a commitment to Nigerians,” Pate declared. “The NHIA is a powerful vehicle to lift millions out of health-related financial hardship. We now have the tools, the leadership, and the political will to get it done.”
Under the current NHIA leadership, Nigeria has seen the enrollment of over four million people into health insurance within 18 months. The agency has also expanded the Vulnerable Group Fund, provided free cesarean section services for over 4,000 women, and increased access to critical procedures like fistula repair—milestones the minister described as “glimpses of what is possible.”
But Pate was candid about the challenges ahead.
“We must face the reality that quality healthcare comes at a cost. With public healthcare spending still under $20 per Nigerian per year, we need smarter financing strategies that ensure no one is left behind.”
To that end, the minister announced an upcoming Health Financing Summit to be co-hosted by the NHIA and the Health Ministry. The summit will explore bold reforms, including expanding domestic funding, integrating state and private health systems, and optimizing mandatory health insurance to deliver greater value.
The newly inaugurated Governing Council is chaired by Senator Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, a longtime advocate for health reform and co-architect of the 2022 NHIA Act. In his remarks, the minister praised Oloriegbe’s depth of experience and the leadership of the NHIA Director-General, describing both as critical to achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in health.
“This is a team built for transformation,” Pate said. “The Ministry, myself, and our directors are solidly behind you.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni, called it a “long-awaited day” and urged council members to match their mandate with action. She challenged them to move from plans to measurable results.
“We’ve been talking about universal health for decades. Now is the time to act. You have the law. You have the structure. Let’s deliver.”
On behalf of council members, Senator Oloriegbe pledged unwavering commitment to the NHIA’s core mission: pooling resources and purchasing quality, affordable healthcare for all Nigerians.
“We are not here for titles; we are here for service,” he said. “Our mission is clear: no Nigerian should be pushed into poverty because of illness. We will work to build a future where access to healthcare is not a privilege, but a right.”
The inauguration marked a renewed sense of urgency—and hope. With legal backing, dedicated leadership, and rising momentum, the NHIA is now positioned to be a catalyst for a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive health system.