President Bola Tinubu has mandated that all federal government employees must be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme as part of sweeping measures to enforce the National Health Insurance Act of 2022.
The President directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a comprehensive circular to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) outlining the implementation framework for mandatory health insurance coverage across the federal civil service.
Under the new directive, government entities will be required to enroll all their staff in NHIA health insurance plans, with the option to supplement coverage through additional private insurance arrangements where necessary.
The presidential order extends beyond government workers to include private sector participation in public processes. Companies seeking to participate in government procurement must now present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as part of their eligibility requirements.
“This certificate confirms compliance with the mandatory health insurance requirement and serves as a condition precedent for continuing any procurement-related engagement,” according to the directive.
The new measures also affect regulatory processes across government agencies. All MDAs must now require applicants to provide valid NHIA certificates before issuing or renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.
To ensure smooth implementation, the NHIA will establish a digital verification platform that allows for easy confirmation of Health Insurance Certificates, promoting transparency and accessibility in the process.
Government agencies are also required to collaborate with the NHIA in developing internal procedures to verify certificate authenticity and maintain consistent compliance monitoring.
While implementing these stringent measures, President Tinubu emphasized the need for balanced engagement with the private sector, calling for “closer and constructive engagement” to ensure businesses are not unduly burdened by the new requirements.
The presidential directive aims to significantly expand health coverage nationwide, protect workers from financial hardship due to medical expenses, reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures, and enhance accountability in both public and private sector operations.
Despite the National Health Insurance Act being enacted three years ago with provisions for compulsory health insurance coverage for all Nigerians, national coverage remains disappointingly low, prompting the President’s decisive intervention to accelerate implementation.
The move represents a major step toward achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria, with the NHIA tasked to ensure comprehensive health coverage for all persons residing in the country.
