The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced that 19.2 million Nigerians are now enrolled in health insurance schemes, surpassing its 2024 target.
This achievement, disclosed by NHIA Director-General Dr Kelechi Ohiri during a roundtable commemorating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day in Abuja, represents 95% of the nation’s ambitious 2027 coverage goal.
“We are proud to announce that 19.2 million Nigerians have been covered by health insurance.
“This surpasses our 2024 target and places us within striking distance of achieving 95 per cent of the 2027 presidential target,” he said.
Dr Ohiri attributed the success to strategic reforms, stakeholder collaborations, and a strong focus on achieving UHC. He noted that the NHIA had expanded the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and worked closely with state health insurance agencies to ensure affordable healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups.
He said the milestone reflects the government’s commitment to quality healthcare as outlined in the National Health Act, urging state governments and private sector stakeholders to intensify efforts to bridge remaining gaps in coverage.
“With the theme of this year’s UHC Day, health should reflect the type of government the country has and must make decisions that represent its aspirations.
“We should prioritise Primary Health Care,(PHC), as the bedrock of our health system,” he said.
Despite challenges such as funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, and workforce shortages in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, Dr Ohiri expressed optimism about achieving the 2027 target. He highlighted plans to scale up digital enrolment and integrate informal sector workers into the scheme as part of the NHIA’s 2025–2027 strategic roadmap.
