In a major stride toward universal health coverage, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has extended insurance benefits under the national health scheme to include treatment for HIV and tuberculosis. Pilot programmes for this expansion have already commenced in four states.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE), Aisha Abubakar Haruna, a top NHIA official, announced that the number of Nigerians covered by health insurance has increased to 20 million, up from 16.8 million in 2023—marking a 99% achievement of the 2027 presidential coverage target ahead of schedule.
This progress includes the enrollment of an additional 800,000 beneficiaries into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, reflecting the government’s commitment to extending health coverage to vulnerable populations.
According to Haruna, the NHIA has taken steps to address longstanding issues such as drug shortages, delays in accessing care, and slow provider payments. These interventions are designed to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s health insurance system and ensure that no citizen—especially vulnerable groups—is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.
A major contributor to this success is the growth of state-led health insurance schemes. All 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have now established state health insurance agencies working in partnership with the NHIA. These agencies offer contributory health plans tailored to both formal and informal sector workers.
By introducing flexible payment options and community-based insurance models, states have enabled market vendors, artisans, and low-income earners to access quality healthcare without facing financial ruin. This approach has significantly boosted service utilisation, cut down out-of-pocket expenses, and dismantled long-standing economic barriers to care.
Digital Tools enhance efficiency
Technology has also played a critical role in improving efficiency and accountability. The NHIA and state agencies are deploying electronic health technologies—including the electronic National Health Insurance Scheme (eNHIS) and biometric enrollment systems—to streamline operations.
These digital platforms help monitor service usage, detect fraud, and ensure timely authorisation of care. They have also reduced average approval times to under an hour and improved drug availability through digitised inventory tracking systems.
Private sector collaboration
Partnerships with private-sector players—such as Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and pharmaceutical supply chain firms—have further strengthened the scheme. HMOs now contribute significantly to claims management, quality assurance, and drug price negotiations, helping prevent medication shortages.
Under this public-private model, the government benefits from private-sector expertise while maintaining regulatory oversight, thereby improving service delivery. Ongoing tariff reviews and provider accreditation are also incentivising healthcare providers to join the scheme, reducing incidents of unapproved charges and out-of-pocket billing.
A new era for health access
The inclusion of people living with HIV and TB in the NHIA coverage marks a landmark development in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. It represents a vision of what true universal health coverage can look like—driven by collaboration, innovation, and strategic reform.
If these initiatives are scaled nationwide and backed by sustained public awareness campaigns, Nigeria will be well-positioned not only to meet its national health coverage targets but also to improve the overall health and well-being of its citizens.
In a country where healthcare access has long been dictated by economic status, the NHIA’s ongoing reforms signal a hopeful future—one in which all Nigerians, regardless of income or health condition, can live healthier, more dignified lives.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has made significant advancements towards universal health coverage in Nigeria by expanding the insurance benefits to include treatment for HIV and tuberculosis. This initiative has begun pilot programs in four states, contributing to an increase in the number of insured Nigerians from 16.8 million in 2023 to 20 million, achieving 99% of the 2027 presidential target ahead of schedule. The expansion includes enrolling an additional 800,000 beneficiaries into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, highlighting a commitment to reach vulnerable populations.
Efforts to improve the health insurance system involve addressing issues like drug shortages and delays in accessing care, thereby restoring public confidence. State-led health insurance schemes have played a crucial role in this progress, with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory establishing state health insurance agencies. These agencies offer flexible healthcare plans catering to both formal and informal sector workers, significantly enhancing service utilization and reducing economic barriers to healthcare.
Technology adoption, such as electronic health technologies and biometric systems, has improved operational efficiency, monitoring service usage, and reducing approval times. Collaboration with private-sector entities has further strengthened the scheme by enhancing claims management and drug price negotiations.
The inclusion of HIV and TB treatments under the NHIA framework is a pivotal step towards true universal health coverage. By scaling these initiatives and enhancing public awareness, Nigeria aims to not only meet its national health coverage targets but also significantly improve citizen health outcomes, ensuring all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare regardless of their income or health condition.
