By Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step towards achieving universal health coverage and sustainable health financing with the inauguration of the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Chairman of the newly inaugurated council.
According to a press statement released on July 12, 2025, by Alaba Balogun, Head, Information & Public Relations, the NHIA has made notable progress. Over 4 million Nigerians have been enrolled in health insurance within the past 18 months. Additionally, over 4,000 women have received free treatment for emergency cesarean sections, and access to services such as fistula repair has increased.
Professor Pate emphasized the importance of quality healthcare, stating, “This is a very important milestone. 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.” He further highlighted the potential benefits of expanding coverage to 50 million Nigerians, which would reshape the health system, reduce costs for families, strengthen healthcare providers, boost employment, and stimulate local pharmaceutical manufacturing. He also noted, “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.”
The Coordinating Minister urged the council members to bring their diverse expertise to bear in overseeing and guiding the NHIA. Senator Oloriegbe pledged that the council will serve diligently to contribute to the achievement of President Bola Ahmed’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
The NHIA Governing Council will provide strategic direction, governance, and oversight to ensure the NHIA achieves its mission of mobilizing and pooling financial resources for affordable, quality healthcare for all Nigerians. A forthcoming health financing summit 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.
