Labour & Social

National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022

Replaced the 1999 NHIS Act. Made health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians, transformed NHIS into the National Health Insurance Authority.

Signed
2022-05-19
Status
In force

1 Background

The NHIA Act overhauled Nigeria's health-insurance framework. The most consequential change: it made enrolment in a health insurance scheme COMPULSORY for all Nigerians (previously voluntary). It transformed the National Health Insurance Scheme into the National Health Insurance Authority — with regulatory powers over private HMOs and state-level schemes. Implementation has been slow but the legal framework is in place.

2 Key provisions (6)

01
Mandatory health insurance enrolment for all Nigerians (citizens + legal residents)
02
NHIS transformed into NHIA — regulatory authority over HMOs
03
Vulnerable Group Fund — federal payment for indigent enrolees
04
1% of consolidated revenue ringfenced for Basic Health Care Provision Fund
05
State-level health insurance agencies recognised
06
Penalty for non-enrolment (employer-side)

3 What changed in practice

Coverage tripled from ~5M to ~15M Nigerians by 2025
BHCPF disbursements operational
Most states have established their own State Health Insurance Agencies

4 Who it affects

All NigeriansEmployersHospitalsHMOs

5 What it repealed / replaced

Other laws in Labour & Social