85% of Nigerians Still Without Health Insurance as Stakeholders Push for Wider Coverage

Health sector stakeholders have expressed concern over Nigeria’s low health insurance coverage, revealing that nearly 85 percent of the population remains uninsured, leaving millions to bear the full cost of medical treatment whenever they fall ill.

The concern was raised in Lagos during the launch of U-Health GIFSHIP (Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme) by Ultimate Health HMO, a new initiative designed to expand healthcare access for Nigerians working in the informal sector.

According to stakeholders, increasing health insurance enrollment is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and protecting households from the financial burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The newly launched scheme is expected to provide affordable access to maternal healthcare, cancer treatment and other essential medical services for traders, artisans, transport operators, small business owners and other Nigerians outside the formal employment system.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Ultimate Health HMO, Dr. Lekan Ewenla, said the programme was developed to make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of Nigerians who have traditionally been excluded from the country’s health insurance system.

He noted that the initiative is built on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)-approved Federal Civil Service Health Insurance Programme, introduced in 2005, which currently provides health coverage for more than 11 million Nigerians.

Ewenla disclosed that Ultimate Health HMO currently manages healthcare services for nearly 300,000 beneficiaries under the scheme.

Despite the progress recorded within the formal sector, he said only about 15 percent of Nigerians currently have health insurance coverage, while the vast majority continue to rely on direct payments for medical care.

According to him, those most affected include traders, artisans, transport workers and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

He added that the amendment of the National Health Insurance Authority Act in 2022, which made health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians, prompted the organisation to redesign its healthcare package to better serve the informal sector.

“Our goal is not simply to sell health insurance but to make quality healthcare more affordable, more accessible and more equitable for every Nigerian,” Ewenla said.

The new programme features dual identity cards for enrollees, digital customer support services and an expanded network of healthcare providers located closer to major business hubs to improve access to treatment.

Also speaking, the Head of Medical Services at Ultimate Health HMO, Dr. Chima Madu, said U-Health GIFSHIP was created to bridge the healthcare access gap by offering affordable and comprehensive health insurance to millions of Nigerians working outside the formal economy.

Stakeholders believe the initiative will complement the Federal Government’s efforts to expand health insurance coverage, reduce catastrophic healthcare spending and improve access to quality medical services nationwide.