Tinubu Orders Mandatory Health Insurance Implementation Across MDAs
President Bola Tinubu has directed the compulsory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in line with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, mandates the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to circulate a service-wide instruction ensuring compliance by all MDAs.
According to the Presidency, the policy is designed to expand health coverage, protect workers, reduce out-of-pocket spending, and strengthen accountability in both public and private sector engagements.
Under the new directive, all MDAs are required to enrol their employees in the NHIA health insurance scheme, while also being permitted to procure supplementary private coverage where necessary.
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Furthermore, entities participating in public procurement will now have to present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation. The certificate will serve as proof of compliance and a prerequisite for procurement-related engagements.
The President also ordered that the same requirement be extended to applicants seeking licenses, permits, or official approvals from government agencies.
To ensure credibility, the NHIA will roll out a digital platform for the verification of health insurance certificates. MDAs are also directed to establish internal procedures to validate the authenticity of submitted certificates and monitor compliance consistently.
While calling for robust implementation, President Tinubu emphasised the need for constructive engagement with the private sector to prevent businesses from being unduly constrained.
The NHIA Act, signed into law in 2022, makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians and empowers the Authority to ensure universal coverage. However, nearly three years after its enactment, coverage remains low despite progress in health reforms.
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who announced the directive, said the new measures reflect Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the health system and ensuring equitable access to quality care for citizens.
By PRNigeria
