Executive Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) have intensified efforts to accelerate the implementation of health insurance programmes across Nigeria’s states as part of moves to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
As part of the initiative, the Forum of SSHIA Chief Executive Officers paid a strategic advocacy visit to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to appreciate the forum for its participation in the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies held in Akure, Ondo State.
The delegation, led by the National Chairman of the SSHIA Forum, Mr. Mohammed Safana, and accompanied by the Forum’s Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, was received by officials of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat.
During the visit, the delegation presented the communiqué issued at the Akure summit to the NGF, highlighting key recommendations aimed at strengthening health insurance implementation across the country.
The forum stressed the need for stronger collaboration between State Social Health Insurance Agencies and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to address operational challenges, improve funding mechanisms, and expand access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Agala said closer collaboration with state governments remains critical to sustaining the progress recorded by health insurance agencies across the country.
According to him, strengthening partnerships with governors through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum provides a strategic platform for making health insurance a sustainable priority in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Prof. Abdulateef O. Shittu, welcomed the delegation and commended the leadership of the SSHIA Forum for its proactive engagement.
He reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to supporting initiatives that will strengthen state health insurance schemes and improve healthcare outcomes for Nigerians, especially at the grassroots level.
