Tinubu directs mandatory health insurance implementation across MDAs

President Tinubu has directed the immediate enforcement of mandatory health insurance across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the press release on his X platform on Wednesday evening.

He mentioned that the President instructed the SGF to circulate a directive compelling MDAs to enroll all their employees in the NHIA scheme.

This move by PBAT effectively breathes life into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022, which has struggled to gain traction since its passage three years ago.

“President Tinubu has directed the SGF to issue a service-wide circular to all MDAs on the implementation of mandatory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022,” the statement reads.

The statement highlights 5 important areas, which include mandatory enrolment of federal employees, the use of NHIA Health Insurance Certificates, compulsory presentation of such certificates or the issuance and renewal of licenses, permits, and other official approvals.

According to the statement, the NHIA will also establish a digital platform for certificate verification to strengthen compliance and ensure transparency.

Tinubu, however, stressed the importance of private sector involvement, warning that the new policy must not be implemented in ways that would stifle businesses.

“Closer and constructive engagement with the private sector on the Act is necessary to ensure that businesses are not unduly constrained,” the statement quoted him as saying.

The NHIA Act was signed into law in 2022, but nearly three years later, official figures still describe national health insurance coverage as “alarmingly low.”

The presidency insists the policy is aimed at protecting workers, curbing out-of-pocket health expenses and promoting accountability.

For many Nigerians, the larger question remains whether mandatory enrolment will translate into genuine access to affordable healthcare.