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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has announced significant progress in Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to affordable health insurance, with over 2.4 million new enrollees recorded in 2024, bringing the total number of Nigerians covered to about 20 million. Speaking on the ongoing health sector reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on X (@muhammadpate), Pate said the development reflects the administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services. “In furtherance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and in line with our national commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, I am pleased to provide an update on Nigeria’s progress in expanding access to quality and affordable health insurance,” the Minister stated. He noted that out-of-pocket payments still dominate healthcare spending in Nigeria, a challenge the government is determined to address through increased insurance enrollment. “Out-of-pocket payments remain the dominant source of health care expenditure for most of our people, translating into higher costs and lower standards of accountability for providers,” Pate said. According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has aligned its performance targets with national priorities under the Ministerial Performance Monitoring Bond, one of which is achieving universal health insurance coverage by 2030. “Under the leadership of Mr. President, all macroeconomic reform and cross-sectoral policy direction are driven by one objective: ensuring that every Nigerian can actualise their aspirations while accessing affordable, quality care,” he said. Pate emphasised that reforms across primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities are improving both service quality and accountability, with record-breaking enrollment figures now aligning with increased investments in human resources and infrastructure. “Nearly 120,000 health workers have been trained since 2023, and 2,500 doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health extension workers have been recruited to strengthen frontline services,” he revealed. “Over the past 16 months, 4,000 health personnel have also been added in Federal Tertiary Hospitals to close workforce gaps.” On financial reforms within the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Pate disclosed that the government has doubled the capitation fee for enrollees from N750 to N1,450 per person to ensure better service delivery. “A major constraint in care quality has been the low capitation fee for enrollees. We have doubled it to N1,450 to ensure providers are properly equipped to deliver consistent, high-quality care,” he said, adding that fee-for-service rates have also been increased by 380%, based on actuarial evidence. To improve patient referrals and accountability, the Minister announced the introduction of the ‘One Hour Referral Authorisation Code’, designed to reduce delays in accessing specialist care. “By shortening this process to one hour, we are eliminating unnecessary delays and ensuring that patients move quickly from primary to specialist care,” he said. Pate further disclosed that the NHIA has been directed to conduct covert mystery shopping to monitor service quality and ensure that enrollees are not denied treatment. “To strengthen accountability, I have directed the NHIA to commence covert mystery shopping to monitor providers and ensure that enrollees are not denied treatment. Undercover monitors are already observing processes in facilities nationwide,” he stated. Highlighting the impact of recent reforms, the Minister noted a remarkable surge in healthcare utilisation. “The evidence is clear. From fewer than 10 million hospital visits in all of 2023, more than 46 million visits were recorded by the second quarter of 2025,” he revealed. He attributed these gains to ongoing reforms in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the NHIA, which have “delivered measurable gains in patient confidence and service utilisation.” “As enrollment expands, benefits multiply,” Pate affirmed. “Wider adoption of health insurance enhances quality, strengthens accountability, and protects households from financial hardship. These achievements reflect President Tinubu’s vision of a health system that serves all Nigerians, regardless of income or status.” The Minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to sustain ongoing reforms, pledging that the administration would continue to modernise infrastructure, strengthen the health workforce, and ensure that every Nigerian is covered and cared for. “We will continue to modernise infrastructure, strengthen the workforce, and sustain reforms until every Nigerian is covered and cared for,” Pate said. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
