President Bola Tinubu has ordered sweeping reforms to make health insurance mandatory across all federal institutions, as part of efforts to strengthen implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022.
In a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular compelling Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enrol all employees in the NHIA scheme.
Public procurement processes will now require bidders to present NHIA-issued health insurance certificates as proof of compliance. Similar requirements will apply to the renewal of licences, permits and other official approvals.
To support enforcement, the NHIA will develop a digital verification system and work with MDAs to establish monitoring frameworks.
Tinubu said the measures would expand health coverage, reduce financial strain on households, and improve accountability in both public and private sectors, while ensuring the private sector is not unduly burdened.
