Nigeria's NHIA seeks locally led research to drive health financing reforms

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is advocating for Nigeria to lead its own health financing research agenda to ensure sustainable reforms and improved national health outcomes. Speaking at the inaugural Nigeria Health Financing Research and Learning Forum in Abuja, NHIA Director-General Dr. Kelechi Ohiri emphasized the need for research sovereignty.

Dr. Ohiri noted that Nigerian health financing has historically relied on episodic studies commissioned and analyzed externally, which are often presented to policymakers only after completion. He argued that while these studies provide value, they fail to establish the enduring policy foundations required for long-term decision-making.

Under the new approach, Nigeria aims to take the lead in defining research questions, commissioning studies, and embedding learning directly into policy implementation. While maintaining international partnerships, the NHIA intends to focus on building domestic capacity and ensuring that research supports national priorities, such as mandatory health insurance coverage, equity, and quality healthcare delivery.