By Atoyebi Nike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the compulsory implementation of health insurance for all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in line with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022.
The directive was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The NHIA Act mandates health coverage for all Nigerians, with the Authority responsible for ensuring universal access.
Tinubu instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular compelling MDAs to enroll their employees in NHIA health insurance plans. Agencies may also opt for supplementary private insurance in line with the law.
The president further mandated that all entities involved in public procurement present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of eligibility requirements. The same certificate will now serve as a prerequisite for the issuance and renewal of licenses, permits, and official approvals.
To ensure transparency, the NHIA is to establish a digital platform for certificate verification. MDAs are also required to collaborate with the NHIA to develop internal procedures for authenticating certificates and monitoring compliance.
Tinubu stressed the need for deeper collaboration with the private sector to avoid undue constraints on businesses while advancing the goal of nationwide health coverage.
