The Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Lagos State Branch has raised serious concern over the alarmingly low coverage of health insurance in the country, stating that more than 190 million Nigerians remain outside the health insurance net, despite over two decades of government-led initiatives.
This was disclosed at the association’s Mid-Year Extraordinary General Meeting/Capacity Building Programme, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, where key stakeholders gathered to examine the current state of health insurance and its implications for universal health coverage and healthcare business opportunities.
The event, themed “Appraisal of Health Insurance Coverage in Nigeria: Business Opportunity for Healthcare Providers”, brought together healthcare leaders, private providers, and policymakers to deliberate on the future of health insurance as a tool for universal health coverage (UHC) and a viable business model for healthcare providers.
In her welcome address, HCPAN Lagos State Chairman, Pharm. (Mrs.) Abiola Paul-Ozieh, described the current enrolment statistics, less than 10 percent of the population, as “unacceptable and disheartening.”
“Health insurance has been in Nigeria for over twenty years, yet over 90 percent of Nigerians are still uninsured. This is unacceptable. We cannot talk about universal health coverage if people are not brought into the system,” Paul-Ozieh stated.
She urged the NHIA and government at all levels to bridge the awareness gap, harmonise policies between the federal and state schemes, and show visible commitment to implementation. According to her, Nigerians need to see leadership and transparency in action, not just policies on paper.
HCPAN National President, Dr Austin Aipoh, also lamented the ineffective rollout of the NHIA Act, which mandates compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians.
“The Act is there, but there is no enforcement. Coverage is still abysmally low, and many Nigerians are disillusioned about the promises of health insurance,” he said.
“We need proper funding, increased public enlightenment, and the political will to implement what has been passed into law. If we don’t act, out-of-pocket payments will keep impoverishing families.”
Dr Aipoh commended the NHIA’s recent move to adjust provider tariffs but noted that inflation and economic instability continue to erode the gains of such reforms.
Delivering his keynote address, Dr Kalada Richard, registrar of the Institute for Healthcare Finance and Management, described Nigeria’s situation as both “a public health tragedy and a missed business opportunity.”
He pointed out that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s workforce operates in the informal sector, a group largely excluded from insurance schemes.
“If we have 200 million people and only about 20 million are covered, it means 180 to 190 million people still pay out of pocket. That’s a huge burden on families and a huge opportunity for reform,” he said.
Dr Richard recommended flexible, community-based insurance models and digital platforms to reach the informal sector, stressing the need for subsidies for the poor and vulnerable.
Chairman of the event and CMD, St Rachael Hospital, Lagos, Dr Anthony Omolola, stated that trust remains a major barrier to enrolment.
“Nigerians are not seeing value for money in health insurance yet. When people register and still can’t access quality care, they lose confidence. NHIA must build that trust through transparency and responsiveness,” Omolola noted.
Participants at the forum urged the NHIA and stakeholders to launch a coordinated nationwide enrolment campaign, incorporate technology for easier registration and claims processing, and actively involve healthcare providers in policy design and monitoring.
The meeting concluded with a collective call for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, with healthcare providers reaffirming their commitment to ensuring health insurance becomes both a right and a reliable system for all Nigerians.
