In a landmark move to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and protect federal workers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive mandating the implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022.
The directive, announced by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, instructs the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to circulate a service-wide memo enforcing compliance.
President Tinubu emphasized that the directive aims to expand health coverage, reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses, and promote accountability in both public and private sector engagements. Despite the NHIA Act being enacted three years ago, national health insurance coverage remains critically low.
“This initiative is a bold step toward universal health coverage,” said Onanuga. “It reflects the President’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian workers and ensuring that healthcare is not a privilege, but a right.”