FG targets 50 million Nigerians for health insurance by 2030

The Federal Government has said it is targeting about 50 million Nigerians to come under health insurance coverage within the next five years.

This was disclosed by Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare, during an interactive session held on X on February 4, 2026.

The initiative is aimed at reducing the high rate of out-of-pocket payments among Nigerians, which currently accounts for over 70 percent of total health expenditure in the country.

“We are currently working with the NHIA to unleash the potential of private health insurance for those who can afford premium services, in order to make access easier and ensure wider insurance coverage,” Pate stated.

According to reports by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), between 2022 and 2025 only about 10 percent, or approximately 22 million Nigerians, were covered by health insurance.

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“The current insurance coverage in Nigeria is low, and our target is to increase it from about 22 million to at least 50 million,” the Minister added.

He further explained that the government is working on building a reliable digital ecosystem to ensure patient data protection and improve digital connectivity across Primary Healthcare facilities, including access to internet services.

“This, however, is a gradual process, as the system is dependent on stable power and energy efficiency,” the Minister noted.

Government efforts in the health sector

The Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to improving the health and welfare of Nigerians.

From reducing maternal and infant mortality rates to lowering malaria cases across the country, the Federal Government, he said, is implementing several interventions.

“Our target for maternal and child mortality is zero, because pregnancy is not a disease, and no one should die from giving birth,” the Minister stated.

Other interventions include the introduction of malaria vaccines and the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to rural communities.

Regarding the reduction of malnutrition, the minister reiterated the importance of healthy nutrition through the establishment of the Nutrition Department, with a focus on promoting local food production that is rich in essential nutrients.

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“ Currently we have established a department of nutrition with over 60 nutrition and dietetics to promote locally sourced nutrient-rich foods through community engagements,” the Minister stated.

“As we age, we are mostly reliant on what we eat,” he added, further highlighting the role of food in ensuring quality health among citizens.

Beyond health insurance, the government is also pursuing tax-based recapitation for Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC), expanding access to free dialysis services across the country, among other initiatives. There are also ongoing efforts to expand coverage for testing related to liver cirrhosis and various cancers.

“Already, the FG has sponsored thousands of free dialysis across the country to reduce cost,” Pate noted.

“Quality healthcare is not cheap, and we are committed to ensuring that the health sector improves at all levels through increased domestic funding,” he added.

The Minister acknowledged that while government efforts to improve healthcare are extensive, there is still more work to be done.

He concluded that despite conflicting narratives, there are areas in which the country can take pride, noting that the international community has recognised Nigeria’s progress within the two and a half years of Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Health is not without its challenges, but we are giving it our all,” Pate said.

“Most importantly, we are working towards improved financing through increased health budgetary allocations,” he added.

In his concluding statement, the Honorable Minister also called for collective action from all levels of government, communities, and individuals to ensure a stronger and more effective healthcare system.

Sunday Dare, former minister of sports, commended the health minister for taking the time to thoroughly explain the major reforms and efforts in the health sector while giving his closing remarks.