President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to fully implement the mandatory health insurance scheme as provided under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022.

In a directive issued through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Tinubu said every MDA must enrol its staff in the NHIA health insurance plan, with the option of securing additional private coverage where necessary.

The President also announced a new policy that makes health insurance a condition for doing business with government. “All entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation,” the directive stated.

The circular further mandates that applicants seeking licenses, permits, or official approvals from MDAs must present valid NHIA health insurance certificates before their requests can be processed. The NHIA is expected to launch a digital platform for easy verification of certificates, while MDAs will be required to set up internal mechanisms to check authenticity and monitor compliance.

Tinubu explained that the move was designed to expand health coverage for Nigerians, protect workers, reduce out-of-pocket medical spending, and strengthen accountability in both public and private engagements. “This is about safeguarding lives while ensuring efficiency in governance and business operations,” he said.

However, the President stressed the need for careful engagement with the private sector to avoid placing undue burdens on businesses.

The NHIA Act, passed in 2022, made health insurance compulsory for all Nigerians. Yet, three years on, coverage levels remain low, prompting this latest push from the Presidency.