The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate has inaugurated the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Pate, at the inauguration on Friday in Abuja, charged the newly appointed members to sustain ongoing reforms and scale up efforts towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) for Nigerians.
The minister stressed the importance of building on the progress made over the past 18 months, including expanded access to health insurance, improved provider payments and strengthened support for vulnerable groups.
“The council brings together people of competence, experience, and integrity,” he said.
He noted that the chairman, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe played a pivotal role in the passage of the NHIA Act and other critical health legislation during his time in the National Assembly.
The minister also acknowledged the milestones recorded under the leadership of NHIA director-general, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri which include the enrolment of over 20 million Nigerians in health insurance, up from 16.8 million in 2023.
Other achievements he cited include support for over 2.6 million Nigerians through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), with more than 800,000 newly enrolled in 2025.
“Maternal health interventions reached over 7,500 women through obstetric fistula repairs and emergency services across more than 200 facilities, while HIV and TB services were integrated for the first time into the NHIA benefits package in five pilot states.
“Additional milestones include the introduction of a one-hour referral code policy to reduce service delays, health insurance implementation across all 36 states and the FCT, a major tariff review increasing capitation by 93 per cent and fee-for-service payments by 378 per cent and the resolution of over 80 per cent of beneficiary complaints in 2024, marking a 21 per cent improvement in responsiveness,” he said.
In his remarks, Oloriegbe reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening health financing systems, recalling that the NHIA Act was among four critical bills he sponsored.
Others, he said, include the Mental Health Act and reforms that led to the establishment of a neuropsychiatric hospital in Kwara State.
“We are committed to delivering on this mandate with diligence and transparency,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Ohiri stressed the importance of partnerships in advancing UHC.
“Government alone cannot build the health system we envision. We need collaboration with the private sector, development partners and communities to create a resilient, inclusive and equitable system,” he said.
Science Nigeria reports that, with the inauguration of the new council, stakeholders believe the NHIA is better positioned to deepen health reforms in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, which prioritises accessible and efficient healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
