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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives Thursday called for strict enforcement of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, 2022, mandating all private companies with more than five employees to provide health insurance coverage for their staff.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke, who raised concern over the growing non-compliance of private sector employers with the provisions of the Act, which was designed to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services for Nigerian workers.
Recall that in September 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government to immediately enrol their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme, a move widely commended as a renewed commitment to the welfare of public servants and the actualisation of universal health coverage in Nigeria.
Presenting the motion during Thursday’s plenary, Hon. Nwaeke noted that the NHIA Act makes health insurance compulsory for all employees in both public and private sectors, with employers required to contribute 10 percent and employees 5 percent of their basic salary, amounting to a total of 15 percent toward health insurance coverage.
He explained that the NHIA is empowered to accredit and regulate Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), ensuring compliance with operational standards that guarantee effective service delivery and equitable access to healthcare benefits.
The lawmaker expressed concern that despite these provisions, many private companies have failed to enrol their staff in any health insurance scheme, thereby denying them access to medical care and financial protection during health emergencies.
“It is worrisome that most private companies have totally refused to enrol their employees or make the required contributions to the scheme. This negligence leaves workers to their fate in times of illness, defeating the purpose of the Act,” Nwaeke stated.
The House, therefore, resolved to urge the National Health Insurance Authority to begin immediate collation of data on defaulting private companies and sanction any organisation found to be violating the provisions of the Act.
It also mandated the Committee on Healthcare Services to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action