President Bola Tinubu has directed the compulsory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular mandating compliance.

The directive covers five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all MDA employees under the NHIA health insurance plan.

Agencies may also adopt supplementary private insurance where necessary.

“All entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.

“This certificate confirms compliance with the mandatory health insurance requirement and serves as a condition precedent for continuing any procurement-related engagement.

“The presidential directive also compels all MDAs to require applicants to present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a precondition for issuing and renewing licences, permits, and other official approvals,” the statement read.

The NHIA has been tasked to develop a digital platform for real-time verification of certificates to ensure transparency, while MDAs are to establish internal processes for authentication and monitoring of compliance.

The statement added, “The presidential directive aims to expand health coverage, safeguard workers, reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures and promote accountability in public and private sector engagements.

“The NHIA Act, 2022, stipulates compulsory health insurance for Nigerians and mandates NHIA to ensure health coverage for all persons in Nigeria and undertake necessary measures to achieve its objectives.

“Three years after the Act was enacted, national health insurance coverage remains alarmingly low despite recent progress in the health sector.”