By Omeiza Ajayi

Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, has revealed that over 20 million Nigerians are now enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS, an increase from 16.8 million in 2023.

Dr Ohiri disclosed this on Wednesday at a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services.

He sad the milestone puts Nigeria on track to exceed the 2027 presidential target for universal health insurance coverage.

The NHIA boss also presented progress report made under the current management of the agency, including efforts to expand coverage, improve service delivery, and address longstanding challenges in the sector.

According to him, the agency had taken several steps between 2024 and 2025 to resolve issues of drug shortages, care denial, and delays.

Some of the measures, he said, include tariff revisions, updated accreditation standards, sanctions for non-compliant Health Maintenance Organisations HMOs and providers, and the introduction of a one-hour deadline for issuing care authorisation codes.

Also, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund BHCPF now supports about 2.67 million beneficiaries nationwide, including 800,000 newly enrolled in 2025 alone.

He said over 7,500 women have benefitted from the agency’s Fistula-Free Initiative and Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) services as of May 2025.

Of the figure, 2,690 women received obstetric fistula repairs at 17 dedicated centres, while 5,289 accessed emergency obstetric services at over 200 facilities.

The NHIA had, for the first time, integrated donor-funded programmes into its insurance coverage, with pilot programmes in five states now delivering health insurance to people living with HIV and tuberculosis patients.

He said health insurance access has also widened across the country, with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory now operating functional State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIA).

On complaints resolutions, he said over 80 per cent of enrollees’ complaints were resolved in 2024, representing a 21 per cent improvement in response time.

Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Amos Gwamna Magaji, emphasised the need for effective health insurance services for the people.

Magali urged the DG to provide hotlines across health facilities covered by the agency for people to table complaints on service delivery issues.

He also asked the DG to furnish the committee with verifiable data of women that have benefitted from the agency’s fistula-free initiative and emergency obstetric care services.