NHIA DG Harps on National Health Financing

The Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, has placed priority on the central role of health financing in Nigeria’s healthcare reform journey, emphasising that sustainable investments and stronger financial protection for citizens are vital to achieving universal health coverage.

Ohiri made this remark at the ongoing National Health Financing Policy Dialogue, a week-long engagement themed “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria,” which runs from 1 to 5 September.

The gathering brought together policymakers, legislators, development partners, private sector leaders, academia, civil society organizations, and technical experts to examine existing gaps in health financing and chart a course toward a more equitable, efficient, and resilient system.

Ohiri highlighted through his social media account, the realities facing Nigeria’s health sector. He explained that despite progress in recent years, a significant proportion of health costs still come directly from households, leaving millions of Nigerians vulnerable to significant health costs. According to him, the poor and most vulnerable citizens remain largely unprotected from financial hardship when accessing care, making health insurance expansion and safety nets a national priority.

“The challenges before us are clear. Too many Nigerians are forced to pay for healthcare out of pocket, and this continues to drive inequities and worsen health outcomes. Our task this week is to deliberate and agree on actionable reforms that will make the system more accountable, inclusive, and sustainable,” Ohiri said.

He also stated that discussions will focus on four strategic priority areas that are central to Nigeria’s health financing reform: advancing accountability and transparency, unlocking private sector participation, using evidence to drive policy, and scaling up domestic health financing reforms. These, he noted, will not only strengthen financial protection but also ensure that every naira invested is used effectively to deliver measurable improvements in health outcomes.

The Director General further stressed the importance of collaboration across government, partners, and communities, emphasising that Nigeria’s path to universal health coverage requires shared responsibility. “Health financing is not just about numbers and budgets; it is about people’s lives. Every naira we channel into the system must be accounted for and must translate into better services for Nigerians. That is the commitment we owe our citizens,” he remarked.

Participants at the policy dialogue are expected to engage in technical sessions, policy reviews, and experience-sharing platforms designed to provide fresh insights into sustainable domestic health financing strategies. The forum is also expected to build consensus around reforms that will strengthen the NHIA’s role in pooling resources, expanding insurance coverage, and improving access to essential health services nationwide.

The gathering already marked as a crucial platform for fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. Stakeholders expect that outcomes from the week-long deliberations will provide a path for reimagining Nigeria’s health financing architecture and repositioning the health sector as a frontier of human capital development and economic growth.

As the dialogue progress, the NHIA Director General urged participants to remain focused on the overarching goal of building a system where no Nigerian is denied access to care due to financial hardship. “This is our collective responsibility, and the work we do this week can set the foundation for a healthier and more equitable Nigeria,” Ohiri concluded.