Nigeria's health insurance enrolment has seen a significant increase, rising to 23.06 million people in the second quarter of 2026. This represents a 42.35 per cent growth from 16.2 million in late 2023. The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kelechi Ohiri, made this announcement at the 11th Future of Health Conference in Abuja. The growth in enrolment is a positive development for Nigeria's healthcare sector.
However, Mr Ohiri noted that increasing enrolment alone is not enough to guarantee access to healthcare or protect Nigerians from financial hardship. He emphasized that an insurance card is meaningless if it does not grant immediate access to a functional facility, guarantee essential medicines, protect against catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses, and deliver dignity during medical emergencies. The NHIA is working to address these issues and ensure that enrollees receive the benefits they are entitled to.
To improve access and accountability, the NHIA has introduced several measures. These include the MyNHIA mobile application and an online self-enrolment portal, which enable enrollees to understand their benefits and access support. The authority has also distributed enrollee charters and benefit package details through interactive QR codes at accredited health facilities nationwide. These codes allow enrollees to check the consultations, diagnostic services, and medicines covered by their insurance packages.
The NHIA has also strengthened its complaints management system to address grievances involving enrollees, healthcare facilities, and health maintenance organisations (HMOs). In the second quarter of 2026, the authority received and tracked 2,209 complaints through various channels. Of these, 82 per cent were resolved within 48 hours, and the authority secured direct refunds for enrollees who had been improperly charged by healthcare facilities.
The NHIA is expanding insurance access for vulnerable Nigerians through targeted programmes supported by public subsidies, grants, and public-private partnerships. Under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Gateway, enrolment increased from 2.6 million people in the second quarter of 2026 to 3.2 million in the third quarter, representing a 20.5 per cent increase. All enrollees under the gateway have been biometrically verified using their National Identification Numbers (NINs).
The NHIA has also partnered with the Global Fund to provide health insurance coverage for key population groups living with or affected by major infectious diseases in several states. Enrolment under this programme increased from 25,815 beneficiaries in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 58,447 in the third quarter of 2026. Women account for 68 per cent of the enrollees, and all beneficiaries have been biometrically verified using their NINs.
The 11th Future of Health Conference, themed "From Innovation to Impact: The Future of Health is Now," brought together stakeholders to discuss how innovations, investments, research, and policies can translate into measurable improvements in healthcare delivery. The conference provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on lessons from over a decade of discussions on universal health coverage, healthcare financing, technology, and the role of the private sector in strengthening Nigeria's health system.
Key points
- Nigeria's health insurance enrolment has increased to 23.06 million people in the second quarter of 2026.
- The NHIA has introduced measures to improve access and accountability, including the MyNHIA mobile application and online self-enrolment portal.
- The authority is expanding insurance access for vulnerable Nigerians through targeted programmes supported by public subsidies, grants, and public-private partnerships.
