Tinubu orders MDAs to enforce compulsory health insurance for staff
President Bola Tinubu has ordered strict enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, making proof of health insurance a requirement for government contracts, licenses, and permits.
The directive, announced Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, presidential adviser on information and strategy, mandates all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to enrol their workers in the NHIA scheme, with the option of additional private cover.
A key feature of the policy is that entities seeking to participate in public procurement must now present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documents. The same condition applies to individuals or companies seeking new or renewed licenses, permits, or official approvals.
To support compliance, Tinubu instructed the NHIA to create a digital verification platform for certificates and directed MDAs to establish procedures for checking their authenticity.
The presidency said the move is designed to expand health coverage, protect workers, cut out-of-pocket medical spending, and improve accountability in both the public and private sectors.
Onanuga added that the president urged sustained dialogue with the business community to prevent the reforms from becoming a burden on private operators.
