The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced an increase in the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance schemes across the country.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the NHIA’s Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the total enrollment has surged by 11% over the past year, bringing the current figure to approximately 18.7 million.
This follows a recent announcement by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, who revealed that an additional 750,000 Nigerians had joined the health insurance program earlier this year. The minister shared this update during the third edition of the ministerial briefing series organized by the Ministry of Information in Abuja.
Dr. Ohiri highlighted that the rise in new enrollees indicates the effectiveness of the ongoing efforts by the NHIA and various state government institutions working in the health insurance sector. “From the low base of an estimated 16 million enrollees in Q4 2023, the total national enrollment now stands at about 18.7 million. This translates to an 11% increase in less than a year, showing that our initiatives are yielding results,” he said.
The Director General also pointed out that the current enrollment figure has surpassed the presidential target for the year by 8%, demonstrating the potential to meet and even exceed the 2027 target for universal health coverage.
He emphasized the role of capitation fees—fixed payments to healthcare providers based on the estimated value of services to patients—as a key incentive in improving the quality of services and attracting more enrollees. A temporary rate for these fees has been agreed upon, with a revised rate expected to be announced soon.
