Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his directive mandating the implementation of compulsory health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the country.
Dr Oloriegbe, who served as Chairman, Committee on Health in the 9th Nigerian Senate, noted in a statement he issued in Abuja and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Thursday that ‘this directive is viewed as a significant step towards realizing the objectives of the NHIA Act 2022’.
Recall that the NHIA Act is among the four legislative proposals that successfully became laws out of the fifteen bills that Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe initiated as the representative of Kwara Central in the senate between 2019 and 2023.
The Act encompasses substantial reforms, including the mandatory provision of health insurance for all Nigerians, the establishment of the Vulnerable Group Fund, and the incorporation of accountability mechanisms for adherence to these requirements.
Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe noted that the president’s directive is in furtherance of the intended objective of the bill that has now become a law.
“This represents a pivotal moment. The presidential directive signifies the culmination of the reform efforts we diligently pursued in the 9th Senate. The NHIA Act 2022 was formulated to institutionalize health insurance, safeguard vulnerable populations, and alleviate the substantial burden of out-of-pocket expenditures on Nigerians. President Tinubu’s decision effectively activates the core of that reform.
In the directive issued from the State House, President Tinubu mandated that all MDAs must enroll their employees in the NHIA health insurance plan, with the option for supplementary private coverage if desired. Furthermore, he directed that all entities engaged in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation. This certificate serves as proof of compliance with the law and is a prerequisite for continuing any procurement-related activities.
Additionally, MDAs are now required to request valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a condition for issuing and renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals. To facilitate accountability and ease of compliance, the NHIA is to establish a digital platform for the verification of Health Insurance Certificates, while MDAs must develop internal procedures to authenticate these certificates and consistently monitor adherence in collaboration with the Authority’ he said.
Dr Oloriegbe also commended the president for pairing the directive with a call for constructive engagement with the private sector to avoid undue constraints on businesses, describing this approach as ‘balanced and thoughtful’ while adding that ;
‘The directive transcends mere compliance; it aims to expand health coverage, protect workers, mitigate out-of-pocket health expenditures, and embed accountability in both public and private sector operations. This was the intended objective of the law when it was proposed and enacted’.
He submitted that with this presidential endorsement, the nation is poised to enhance coverage and safeguard millions of Nigerians cognizant that three years after the enactment of the NHIA Act 2022, the national health insurance coverage remains lagging despite advancements in the sector.
‘For me, this development is both a personal win and a historic legacy which I will forever cherish. As the legislator who advocated for and sponsored the NHIA Act, and now as Chairman of its Governing Council, I consider this directive as the fruition of legislative effort—transforming a reform initiative into a tangible reality for Nigerians. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for actualizing this vision’ he added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
