…targets 44m enrollees in health insurance scheme by 2030
By Hassan Zaggi
In an effort to take full ownership of funding for health internally and reduce the overdependence on external aid to fund health interventions in the country, the Federal Government has reiterated the need for increased collaborative domestic investments in health.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the assertion at the ongoing 4-day National Health Financing Dialogue, tittle: ‘Reimagining The Future of Health Financing in Nigeria,’ in Abuja, Monday.
The dialogue was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and development partners.
This is even as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that Federal Government has concluded plans to enroll at least, 44 million Nigerians into the National Health Insurance scheme by 2030. This, he said, is to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health “which currently remains at an unacceptable rate of about 70%.”
While warning that Nigeria cannot continue to depend on foreign aid or support to fund health interventions, Prof. Pate charged states, local governments, philanthropist, corporate bodies to increase domestic investment in health.
The Minister noted that it is unwise for one to think that he/she can get good and qualitative health services without paying for it.
He insisted that urgent increase in internal financing of health interventions is the only sure way to enable citizens enjoy good health services within the country, stressing that: “Now it’s two years, and earlier this year we had the major shock, which I think opened our eyes, that in reality we were deluded to think that we can build a healthy nation on the back of somebody else’s taxpayer, that we have to find ways to increasingly invest our own resources. Because health, wherever it is found, wherever it is produced, it’s not cheap. If you want to get good health, you have to pay for it. Somebody has to pay for it.
“The belief that you can actually get good quality health service without paying for it is an illusion. You have to invest in it. It’s an investment.”
Pate lamented that for the past decades, Nigeria have not invested significantly in health as it should be to enable the health care system work optimally.
He, however, commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government for showing considerable interest and commitment to invest in the health sector.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Salako, reiterated the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led government to strengthen health financing by boosting domestic resources and reducing dependency on external support.
Nigeria’s total health expenditure as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product, according to him, has risen from 3.4 per cent in 2013 to 5.03 per cent in 2024.
Dr. Salako said: “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to evolving legislation, regulations and policies that will ensure effective implementation. Key among these is the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, which makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians and seeks to significantly expand coverage beyond the previous five per cent of the population.
“The Act also established the Vulnerable Group Fund to cater for those unable to afford premiums.
“Similarly, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), instituted by the 2014 National Health Act, allocates one per cent of consolidated federal revenue to provide quality healthcare for the poor and vulnerable, serving as a key vehicle for implementing the Vulnerable Group Fund.
“The Ministry is considering approaching the National Assembly to increase BHCPF funding from the current one per cent to at least two per cent of consolidated revenue.
“Under the Presidential Performance Agreement we signed, a key deliverable for the Ministry is to enroll at least 44 million Nigerians into the national health insurance scheme by 2030.
“We remain focused on strengthening the framework, expanding coverage, ensuring sustainability, and addressing persistent challenges such as inadequate budgetary allocations, systemic inefficiencies, fragmented programming, and limited reliable data.”
In his address of welcome, the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kelechi Ohiri, assured of his agency’s commitment to expand financial protection for all Nigerians by reducing dependence on out-of-pocket payments.
The dialogue, he explained, aims to advance accountability and transparency, unlock private sector participation, deepen sub-national involvement, and strengthen partnerships.
“This dialogue is about people. People must be at the centre of the health system. People must be at the centre of what we’re financing,” Mr Ohiri stressed.
He further reiterated that: “We are committed to expanding financial protection for all Nigerians by reducing dependence on out-of-pocket payments. Equity remains central to this effort, ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are not left behind.
“This is a call to action and a call to collaborate. Achieving sustainable and equitable health financing will require the collective effort of government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and academia.
“As we begin today, I hope the energy and commitment we see on Day One will carry through to Day Four, culminating in clear commitments, documented outcomes, and a roadmap for Nigeria’s future in health financing.”
