Posted on: Thu 04-09-2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a decisive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s health system by directing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to issue a circular enforcing mandatory health insurance across all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The order, anchored on the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) of 2022, seeks to expand health coverage, safeguard workers, and reduce the country’s high rate of out-of-pocket medical spending.

The directive, contained in a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, outlined five critical areas for implementation. First, all MDAs are required to enrol their employees under the NHIA health insurance plan, with an option to supplement with private coverage where desired. In addition, public procurement processes will now demand a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as proof of compliance before any contractual engagement is allowed.

Similarly, licenses, permits, and official approvals issued by MDAs must now be tied to the presentation of valid Health Insurance Certificates. To ensure accountability, the NHIA will develop a digital verification platform, making certificate validation transparent and easily accessible. Furthermore, all MDAs must design internal mechanisms for authenticating submitted certificates and monitoring compliance consistently.

While underscoring the importance of universal health coverage, President Tinubu also emphasized the need for constructive engagement with the private sector, ensuring that businesses are not overburdened in the process. His move comes amid concerns that, three years after the passage of the NHIA Act, national health insurance coverage remains far below expectations despite recent progress in the sector.

Beyond healthcare reforms, President Tinubu also announced key appointments in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. He approved the appointment of Engineer Abdurrazaq Abubakar Nakore as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano. Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, previously served as Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.

In addition, Professor Abdullahi Tukur Kodage was named Vice Chancellor of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, while Professor Yahaya Isa Bunkure was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria. Bunkure, a distinguished academic in science education, currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Saadatu Rimi University of Education, Kano.

Both universities were among four Colleges of Education recently upgraded to full-fledged universities between 2022 and 2023. In line with statutory provisions, the newly appointed Pro-Chancellor will serve a four-year term, while the Vice Chancellors will hold office for five years.

With these directives and appointments, the Tinubu administration signaled its dual commitment to strengthening both Nigeria’s health sector and its educational institutions—two critical pillars for sustainable national development.

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