In a major move to expand healthcare access, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the mandatory enrollment of all federal employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme.
A directive has been issued to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to circulate a service-wide circular compelling all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.
According to a statement from Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the order has significant implications for public procurement and licensing. All entities seeking government contracts must now present a “valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility requirements.”
Furthermore, MDAs must require these certificates as a “precondition for issuing or renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.”
To enforce this, the NHIA will create a digital verification platform, while MDAs must develop procedures to authenticate submissions.
The presidency stated the directive aims to “expand health coverage, reduce out-of-pocket spending, safeguard workers, and enhance accountability.”
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