Health Insurance:  Experts Advocate Stronger Capacity Building for Universal Coverage

By Haruna Salami

Health insurance stakeholders have renewed calls for greater investment in capacity building and stronger partnerships to accelerate the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

The call was made at the Health Insurance and Managed Care National Leadership Award of Excellence, organised by the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN), under the theme: “Building Robust Capacity for Universal Health Coverage.”

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky, Patron of the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN) and former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), described health insurance as the best and most sustainable way to finance healthcare. He said expanding health insurance coverage is critical to improving access to quality healthcare and protecting Nigerians from the financial burden of medical treatment. He added that the future of health insurance in Nigeria is bright with sustained investment in capacity building and professional development.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Moses Aiyebowo, National Coordinator of the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN), described the institute as the driving force behind capacity building for health insurance professionals in Nigeria. He said the institute provides specialised training, certification and licensing for practitioners, serves as a training consultant to several state governments, and partners with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to strengthen healthcare financing across the country.

Dr. Aiyebowo noted that millions of Nigerians are accessing healthcare through health insurance, improving access to quality medical services while creating employment opportunities in the sector. He stressed that professionalism, transparency and strict adherence to standards are essential, noting that “you can’t cut corners with health insurance.”

The institute also called for stronger collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to expand health insurance coverage and deepen awareness at the grassroots as Nigeria pursues Universal Health Coverage.

Also speaking, Dr. Hope Uweja, Chairman of the Board of Fellows of the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN) and former General Manager (Technical Operations) of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), underscored the importance of continuous investment in human capacity, strong institutions and professional standards. He said sustained collaboration among stakeholders remains essential to building a resilient health insurance system capable of delivering Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Health Insurance and Managed Care National Leadership Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding leadership, innovation, professionalism and exceptional contributions to the advancement of health insurance and managed care in Nigeria.

Among the recipients, Akwa Ibom State received the Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria Award 2026 and the Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage Award. Bayelsa State won the Best Health Insurance Agency in ICT Innovation Systems Award 2026, while Cross River State received the Outstanding Commitment to Equitable Healthcare Access Award.

Delta State was honoured with the Governor of the Year in State Social Health Insurance in Nigeria Award, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) received the Excellence in Health Insurance Administration Award 2026. Imo State clinched the Grand Award for Excellence in Health Insurance Leadership 2026, Kebbi State won the Best Agency in Project Management Award 2026, Lagos State received the Outstanding Female Health Insurance Leader of the Year 2026 Award, Ondo State was honoured with the Best Agency in Benefit Package Management Award 2026, and Sokoto State received the Excellence in Social Health Protection Award 2026. The Yobe State Health Insurance Agency was also recognised with the Beneficiary Satisfaction Excellence Award 2026.