The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have formed a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health insurance system through robust data collaboration. This initiative seeks to promote evidence-based planning and policymaking in the healthcare sector.
The partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by NHIA director-general, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri to the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of NBS, Prince Semiu Adeniran on Thursday in Abuja.
Ohiri emphasised that the partnership is focused on joint efforts in data sharing, research and capacity building. He noted that accurate and timely data is crucial for the planning, implementation and evaluation of effective health insurance policies.
“We believe that our collaboration with the NBS will enable us to build a more robust and responsive health insurance system, backed by data and insights that reflect the realities of Nigerians,” Ohiri said.
Key components of the partnership include the conduct of joint research and national surveys to better understand the health and socio-economic conditions of Nigerians. It will also support the sharing of relevant datasets between both institutions to enhance decision-making in the NHIA and the wider healthcare system.
Ohiri added that both agencies will engage in capacity-building initiatives, particularly in research methodology, data analysis and knowledge management.
In his remarks, Prince Adeniran welcomed the collaboration, reiterating NBS’s commitment to advancing the health sector through accurate and accessible statistics.
“At the NBS, we understand the vital role that data plays in national development,” Adeniran said. “Partnering with NHIA aligns with our mission to ensure that decision-makers are equipped with credible data to guide reforms.”
According to Science Nigeria, the collaboration is part of NHIA’s broader plan to expand health insurance coverage nationwide. By the end of 2024, NHIA had achieved a 14 percent increase in enrolment, rising from 16.7 million to approximately 19.2 million Nigerians.
The authority aims to reach 30 million people with health insurance coverage by the end of 2025.
The meeting concluded with both institutions agreeing to develop a structured framework for implementing the discussed areas of collaboration, marking a step toward a more data-driven and inclusive health insurance ecosystem in Nigeria.
