Nigeria expands health insurance coverage through new programs and enrollment recovery

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has launched its Groups, Individuals and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) in Auchi, Edo State. Designed to expand healthcare coverage to the non-formal sector, the initiative targets organizations, political office holders, donor agencies, and Nigerians in the diaspora to improve access to affordable healthcare.

Separately, enrollment under Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) saw an increase of 1.3 million in the third quarter of 2026. This recovery follows a decline in the first quarter caused by a new mandate from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) requiring a valid National Identification Number (NIN) for all beneficiaries. According to Mohammad Safana, Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of State Social Health Insurance Agencies, the policy initially led to the removal of beneficiaries without valid identification but has since stabilized enrollment figures.