The Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Chairman of the National Health Financing Dialogue Technical Working Group, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, has announced that over 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians have been enrolled in the Federal Government’s Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The programme, which is funded by one per cent of the consolidated federal revenue, forms part of wider health sector reforms designed to reduce out-of-pocket spending and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
Speaking during the ongoing National Health Financing Dialogue in Abuja, Dr. Ohiri explained that the NHIA has focused its agenda on expanding coverage, rebuilding trust in the health insurance system, and ensuring equity for vulnerable groups.
Happening now.. The DG NHIA Dr Kelechi Ohiri @k_ohiri giving an opening address at the ongoing 4-day National Health Financing Dialogue:
Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria, on September 1, 2025, at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. pic.twitter.com/VeMiNULO7m— NHIA NIGERIA (@nhia_nigeria) September 1, 2025
He noted that under the equity pillar, the federal government introduced emergency obstetric care programmes, which have already provided life-saving services to over 10,000 women in less than one year.
“In addition, more than 3,000 women who developed severe complications during childbirth have received specialised treatment across 20 centres nationwide.”
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“The NHIA has also implemented major reforms to restore confidence in the insurance system.”
“These include a 100 per cent increase in capitation and a 300 per cent rise in fee-for-service tariffs, ensuring that hospitals are adequately reimbursed and patients receive essential drugs and treatments without excuses.”
“A new directive now mandates hospitals to treat insured patients within one hour, even before receiving authorisation codes from Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).” He explained.
According to Dr. Ohiri, these measures are designed to shift Nigeria away from reliance on out-of-pocket payments, which have long impoverished households.
He stressed that health insurance must become mandatory, with all employers required to enrol their staff, while urging individuals to prioritise enrolment as a safeguard against catastrophic health costs.
He further highlighted the critical role of civil society and the media in raising awareness and ensuring accountability in health financing.
“It is better to be insured than to pay out of pocket when you are sick. Every country that has achieved universal health coverage did so through mass health insurance uptake,” he said, calling on civic actors to amplify public education.
Dr. Ohiri also underscored the need for collaboration with state and local governments, as well as private and faith-based healthcare providers, to expand access nationwide.
He welcomed the involvement of the Ministries of Finance, Budget, and National Planning in the health financing dialogue, describing their role as essential in building sustainable solutions.
“Our key message is simple,” Dr. Ohiri added. “Universal health coverage is no longer an aspiration; it is a new reality taking shape, but government at all levels, civil society, and the private sector must work together so that every Nigerian is covered and no one is left behind.”
Panel Discussion: Advancing Accountability in Health Financing; Improving Budget Transparency, Participatory Budgeting and Expenditure Tracking. pic.twitter.com/FpnW3hAqig
— NHIA NIGERIA (@nhia_nigeria) September 1, 2025