President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for the immediate and mandatory implementation of health insurance for all employees within Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in accordance with the National Health Insurance Act of 2022.
The President has instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to circulate the directive to all relevant government bodies. In a move aimed at expanding health coverage and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses, the directive outlines five key areas of implementation.
All MDAs are now required to enrol their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) health insurance plan. The directive also permits MDAs to acquire supplementary private insurance coverage if they choose.
Furthermore, the President’s order links health insurance compliance to public procurement and official licensing.
All entities involved in public procurement must now provide a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.
This certificate will be a prerequisite for all procurement-related engagements. Similarly, MDAs are mandated to require a valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificate from all applicants seeking to obtain or renew licenses, permits, and other official approvals.
To ensure transparency and ease of verification, the NHIA will establish a digital platform for checking the authenticity of health insurance certificates.
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MDAs are also expected to develop internal procedures in collaboration with the NHIA to verify these certificates and monitor compliance.
The directive seeks to extend health coverage, protect workers, and promote accountability in both public and private sector interactions.
The National Health Insurance Act of 2022 aims to provide compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians, but coverage has remained low since its enactment three years ago despite recent progress.
The President also called for constructive engagement with the private sector to ensure the new measures do not place an undue burden on businesses.
