By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
DRIVE TOWARDS strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare financing structure advanced this weekend as the Federal Government announced an upward review of the National Health Insurance (NHI) capitation fee from N750 to N1,450 per person.
The new rate, according to authorities, forms part of broader reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare and achieving coverage for 44 million Nigerians by 2030.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, disclosed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
He explained that the adjustment reflects the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises universal health coverage as a pillar of social development and economic stability.
Professor Pate stated that Nigeria recorded a historic 2.4 million new health insurance enrollees in 2024, bringing the total number of Nigerians with active coverage to about 20 million.
He said the administration’s policies are designed to consolidate these gains through reforms within the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
“In 2024, Nigeria broke its enrolment record with more than 2.4 million new people insured, bringing total coverage to about 20 million Nigerians.
“With new policy tools in motion, we are on course to reach 44 million by 2030,” the minister stated.
According to the coordinating minister, the increase in the capitation fee will enable accredited healthcare providers to deliver improved and consistent medical services.
He said the review was guided by actuarial analysis that links cost structures with service quality and sustainability.
“A major constraint in care quality has been the low capitation fee for enrollees. For years, the capitation stood at N750 per person.
“We have doubled it to N1,450 to ensure providers are properly equipped to deliver consistent, high-quality care,” Professor Pate said.
He added that fee-for-service rates under the National Health Insurance programme had also been increased by 380 percent, following expert evidence that tied the adjustment to cost realities in health delivery.
The new structure, he explained, is expected to improve responsiveness among service providers and reduce out-of-pocket spending by patients.
The minister said reforms in the health insurance scheme form part of wider efforts to rebuild trust in public healthcare delivery, strengthen primary health systems, and ensure that Nigerians can access care without financial hardship.
Highlighting progress in human resource development, Professor Pate disclosed that nearly 120,000 health workers have been trained since 2023 under various federal initiatives.
The training covers doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, and community health extension workers, among others.
He said an additional 2,500 medical professionals had been recruited to reinforce frontline health services across the country, while 4,000 new personnel had been deployed to federal tertiary hospitals to address existing workforce shortages.
“These steps are critical to improving the reach and quality of services available to citizens,” he said.
The minister also announced the introduction of a new One Hour Referral Authorisation Code, designed to improve patient transfer between primary and specialist healthcare facilities.
The mechanism, he said, would eliminate unnecessary delays and strengthen coordination across the different levels of care.
“By shortening this process to one hour, we are ensuring that patients move quickly from primary to specialist care,” he explained.
Professor Pate further noted that the NHIA had been directed to commence covert monitoring of healthcare facilities to prevent denial of treatment to registered enrollees.
He said the monitoring framework would ensure compliance with service standards and prompt corrective measures against erring providers.
According to the minister, measurable outcomes are already emerging from the government’s ongoing reforms.
He said hospital visits under the health insurance system had risen sharply from fewer than 10 million in 2023 to over 46 million by mid-2025, an indicator of growing public confidence in the system.
He attributed the progress to the President’s commitment to building a resilient and people-centred health system that guarantees affordable, quality healthcare for all Nigerians, irrespective of income or social class.
Professor Pate said the administration’s priority remains to close long-standing gaps in access, service quality, and financial protection.
He added that the reforms will continue to focus on improving infrastructure, strengthening the health workforce, and deploying digital tools for efficiency and transparency.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to sustain the gains recorded so far and to extend coverage to millions of Nigerians who remain uninsured.
“We will continue to modernise infrastructure, strengthen the workforce, and sustain reforms until every Nigerian is covered and cared for,” he said.
The coordinating minister also outlined progress achieved through partnerships between federal and subnational governments, noting that many states have established or expanded their own health insurance schemes aligned with national standards.
He said such cooperation had accelerated the rollout of health insurance coverage to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, and people living with chronic illnesses.
The FG, he added, remains committed to providing counterpart funding and technical support to ensure uniform implementation across the federation.
Professor Pate noted that the recent increase in capitation fees demonstrates the FG’s resolve to strengthen the financial base of healthcare facilities and ensure that service providers can meet patient needs effectively.
He said government institutions will continue to evaluate the system’s performance using data and actuarial benchmarks to guide future adjustments.
The minister stated that reforms in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund have improved accountability and transparency in fund disbursement, allowing facilities to procure essential medicines, upgrade infrastructure, and maintain steady service delivery.
He explained that through these reforms, the Federal Government has created a framework where funds flow directly to primary healthcare centres, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensuring that frontline facilities are better resourced to serve their communities.
Professor Pate said these measures are already showing tangible results, particularly in increased facility attendance, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and greater efficiency in service delivery.
He reiterated that the government’s overall objective is to move the nation steadily toward universal health coverage by the end of the decade, as outlined in the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP) launched under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The coordinating minister expressed confidence that sustained investment in health infrastructure, insurance coverage, and workforce training would consolidate progress and provide Nigerians with dependable access to care.
He commended healthcare workers across the country for their commitment and resilience, describing them as the backbone of the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s health sector.
“Our professionals have shown extraordinary dedication to service delivery despite challenges. With the right support and resources, they will continue to provide the quality care Nigerians deserve,” Professor Pate said.
He assured that the Federal Government will maintain transparent collaboration with the private sector, development partners, and civil society to ensure the reforms achieve their intended impact.
According to the minister, the administration remains focused on a system that guarantees equity, sustainability, and measurable improvement in health outcomes.
He said the next phase of implementation will consolidate gains from the insurance reforms, enhance data integration, and ensure accountability at all levels of care.
Professor Pate reaffirmed that the government’s goal is for every Nigerian to have access to affordable, quality healthcare as part of the Renewed Hope vision. “We are building a system that works for everyone, and we will not relent until it is achieved,” he stated.
