Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, has raised concern over the low health insurance coverage in Nigeria, revealing that only about 20 million Nigerians—just 10 percent of the estimated 200 million population—are currently enrolled in federal, state, or private health insurance schemes.
Dr. Ohiri made this known on Friday during the 47th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), held at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The theme of the event was: “The Nigerian Healthcare System: Unlocking the Value Chain—The Role of Government and Private Medical Practitioners.”
He urged Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable, to enroll in health insurance schemes to protect themselves and their families amidst rising medical costs and inflation.
“Only about 20 million Nigerians are enrolled in health insurance schemes—some with NHIA, others with state or private schemes. That’s just 10% of our population,” he said. “Part of the reason is because it has been voluntary. Now that it’s mandatory, we expect those numbers to increase.”
Dr. Ohiri called for greater awareness of the benefits of health insurance and urged governments at all levels to intensify campaigns to promote enrollment. He noted that effective insurance coverage could reduce the burden of out-of-pocket health expenses and prevent further impoverishment of vulnerable citizens.
“Poor economic conditions should drive people to health insurance. If you are poor and fall sick without insurance, the financial burden worsens your situation. Insurance should be a tool to fight poverty, not the other way around,” he added.
The NHIA boss also emphasized the need for better quality healthcare services to improve trust in insurance systems. “When people are insured and experience quality care, they will recommend it to others,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the National President of ANPMP, Dr. Kay Adesola, encouraged Nigerians to embrace legitimate health insurance schemes to avoid falling into the hands of quacks.
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Dr. Adesola hailed the increase in insurance coverage from 3.5% in 2005 to 10% in 2025 as a sign of progress. He commendeDrr. Ohiri for introducing reforms to improve oversight of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), particularly shortening the authorization code process to one hour.
He, however, criticized the allocation to the health sector in the 2025 national budget, lamenting that only 5.5% of the budget was dedicated to healthcare—far below the 15% commitment agreed by African countries in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.
“The budgetary allocation to health is still too low,” he said. “Rome was not built in a day, but we must keep pushing. The 15% benchmark agreed in Abuja should guide future budgets.”
Dr. Adesola also took a strong stand against quackery in the medical profession, warning that it poses a grave danger to public health and safety. He praised Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers states for their efforts in curbing quack practices and urged continued collaboration between government and professional bodies to stamp out unlicensed medical operators.
“Quackery is a deadly menace. By the time cases handled by quacks get to us, the damage is often irreparable,” he said.
Earlier, the Ogun State Chairman of ANPMP, Dr. Oluwakayode Oyelade, reiterated the association’s collaboration with the state government to close down substandard hospitals and rid the sector of unqualified practitioners.
He noted that several health facilities in Ogun had been shut down for failing to meet the required standards, reaffirming the association’s commitment to protecting the public from unsafe medical practices.
