Health Insurance in Nigeria 2026: NHIS, HMOs and How to Choose the Right Plan for You

 

Picture this scenario. You wake up one morning feeling unwell. You push through it — Nigerians are tough, and there is always something to do. Two days later, it has not improved. By the third day, a family member insists you see a doctor. You go to the hospital, wait for hours, see a consultant, run some tests, collect medications, and walk out with a bill for ₦85,000.

That ₦85,000 represents roughly one full month’s salary for the average Nigerian worker. For a minor illness. Not a surgery. Not a hospitalisation. Just a consultation, some tests, and a prescription.

This is the healthcare financial reality that millions of Nigerians live with every single day — a reality where falling sick is not just a health crisis but an economic one, where families are forced to choose between medical care and food, rent, or school fees. Where people delay seeing a doctor until a manageable condition has become a serious one, simply because they cannot afford the upfront cost of a hospital visit.

Health insurance exists specifically to break this cycle. And in Nigeria in 2026, the options for accessing health coverage — whether through the government’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA/NHIS), a private Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), or a combination of both — are more varied and more accessible than most Nigerians realise.

The problem is not that health insurance does not exist in Nigeria. The problem is that too few Nigerians understand how it works, how to access it, what it covers, and how to choose between the dozens of plans on the market. This guide exists to fix that. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly what your options are, what each one costs, how to register, and which plan makes the most sense for your life and your budget.

Part 1: The Painful Reality — Why Nigerians Need Health Insurance More Than Ever

The numbers are stark. Nigeria spends approximately 3.8% of its GDP on healthcare — one of the lowest ratios in the world, and well below the WHO’s recommended minimum of 5%. The consequence of this chronic underfunding is felt acutely by ordinary Nigerians at the point of care: out-of-pocket spending accounts for over 70% of all healthcare financing in the country, meaning that for every ₦10 spent on health in Nigeria, more than ₦7 comes directly from individual wallets rather than insurance pools, government funding, or employer contributions.

This matters because healthcare costs in Nigeria — particularly in the private sector, where quality care is most reliably available — have risen sharply in line with naira depreciation and inflation. Procedures that cost ₦200,000 three years ago may now cost ₦600,000 or more. Hospital admission fees, ICU costs, surgical fees, and specialist consultation charges have all climbed steeply. Meanwhile, salaries have not kept pace.

The result is a generation of Nigerians who are one serious illness away from financial catastrophe. A cancer diagnosis. A car accident. A premature birth. A cardiac event. Any of these — at private hospital rates, without insurance — can produce bills that wipe out years of savings and push families into debt from which recovery takes years, if it comes at all.

Health insurance is not a luxury for this environment. It is a financial necessity — as important to a Nigerian family’s security as a savings account, arguably more so. And yet, fewer than 5% of Nigerians are currently covered under any health insurance scheme, whether public or private. Over 12 million Nigerians have NHIS coverage — a significant number in absolute terms, but tiny relative to a population of over 220 million.

The reasons for this low uptake are multiple: insufficient awareness of what schemes exist, distrust of insurance products based on past negative experiences, the belief that “I am healthy so I don’t need it,” the upfront cost of premiums in a country where cash flow is already stretched, and the administrative complexity of registration that puts many people off before they even start.

This guide addresses every one of those barriers. By the end, you will have no excuse not to be enrolled.

Part 2: What is NHIS/NHIA? Nigeria’s Government Health Insurance Explained

Let us start with the basics, because there is genuine confusion about what NHIS is, how it has changed, and how it relates to the NHIA. Here is a clear explanation.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established by the Nigerian government in 1999 under the NHIS Act, with the goal of providing affordable, accessible, and universal healthcare financing for all Nigerians. The idea was simple in principle: pool contributions from employers, employees, and the government into a common fund managed by Health Maintenance Organisations, then use that fund to pay for the healthcare of enrolled members when they need it.

In 2022, the scheme was significantly upgraded. President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act into law on May 19, 2022, replacing the 1999 NHIS Act. The new legislation expanded the scope of the scheme, strengthened enforcement mechanisms, created clearer accountability structures, and — most importantly for ordinary Nigerians — introduced mandatory health insurance as a legal obligation for all Nigerians rather than an optional enrolment programme.

In practical terms, most Nigerians still refer to the scheme as “NHIS” — the name is deeply embedded in public consciousness. The functions remain the same. The ID cards and membership numbers from the NHIS era remain valid. But going forward, the authority overseeing the scheme is the NHIA — National Health Insurance Authority, and all new registrations and administrative matters are handled through the NHIA framework.

Here is the key thing to understand about how the system works: NHIA does not directly provide healthcare. What it does is regulate the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) that actually deliver coverage to members. When you enrol in NHIS, you choose an NHIA-accredited HMO, pay your premium, and the HMO then becomes your point of contact for accessing healthcare at accredited hospitals and clinics. Think of NHIA as the regulator and the HMO as the service provider you actually interact with.

Part 3: What Does NHIS Actually Cover in 2026?

One of the most common reasons Nigerians avoid NHIS is the belief that it does not cover enough to be worth the premium. This perception is partly rooted in the scheme’s early years, when coverage was genuinely limited. In 2026, however, the benefit package — while not unlimited — is considerably more comprehensive than many people assume.

Service Category	Covered Under NHIS?	Notes
Outpatient consultations	✅ Yes	GP and specialist consultations at accredited facilities
Inpatient/hospital admission	✅ Yes	Up to 21 days per year in standard ward (non-military)
Maternity care	✅ Yes	Antenatal, delivery, postnatal — including premature birth and stillbirth
Prescription medications	✅ Yes	Within the NHIS Essential Drug List; branded drugs may need top-up
Diagnostic tests	✅ Yes	Blood tests, urinalysis, imaging (basic) at accredited facilities
Eye care	✅ Yes	Eye examination + inexpensive corrective eyewear
Dental care	✅ Basic	Routine dental procedures; complex dental work usually excluded
Preventive care	✅ Yes	Immunisations, family planning, health education
Cancer screening	✅ Yes	Under recent plan expansions — check your specific HMO
Mental health	⚠️ Limited	Basic psychiatric consultation; inpatient mental health often excluded
Major surgery	⚠️ Limited	Emergency surgery covered; elective complex surgery often requires top-up
Overseas treatment	❌ No	Only Nigerian accredited facilities; medical tourism not covered
Cosmetic procedures	❌ No	Excluded entirely
Dependants	✅ Yes	Spouse + up to 4 biological children; additional dependants can be enrolled

The honest summary is this: NHIS covers the healthcare needs that the vast majority of Nigerians encounter in the vast majority of years — routine illness, maternity care, medications, basic specialist consultations, diagnostics, and emergency hospitalisation. What it does not reliably cover is complex high-cost care — major organ surgery, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, high-end ICU care — where out-of-pocket costs or supplementary private insurance remain necessary for those who can afford them.

For the average Nigerian family, NHIS coverage represents a dramatically safer financial position than having no coverage at all. That is the bottom line.

Part 4: Who Qualifies? All the NHIS Programme Categories Explained

One of the most important things to understand about NHIS/NHIA is that there is not one single programme — there are several, each designed for a different segment of the Nigerian population. Knowing which category applies to you is the first step to choosing the right enrolment route.

1. Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) — For Employees

This is the most widely used NHIS programme. It covers employees of federal government agencies, the uniformed services (military, police, civil defence, immigration), private sector companies with at least 10 employees, and students of tertiary institutions (under the TISHIP — Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme).

If you work for a company with 10 or more employees, your employer is legally obligated to register you under FSSHIP. The cost is shared between employer and employee: the employee contributes 5% of their basic salary monthly, and the employer contributes a matching amount. These deductions are automatic from your payroll — you do not need to do anything beyond confirming your registration with your HR department.

FSSHIP coverage extends to your spouse and up to four biological children at no additional premium cost. Additional dependants — elderly parents, for example — can be enrolled at a subsidised rate.

2. GIFSHIP (Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme) — For Self-Employed and Informal Sector

GIFSHIP is specifically designed for Nigerians who do not work in the formal sector — self-employed individuals, traders, farmers, artisans, transport workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and anyone else whose income does not come through a PAYE payroll structure. This is the most important programme for the majority of working Nigerians, given that the informal sector accounts for approximately 60% of the country’s workforce.

Under GIFSHIP, groups of at least 10 people apply together to NHIA. The minimum payment for a 10-person group is ₦220,000 per year, which works out to ₦22,000 per person annually — or less than ₦2,000 per month. Additional members beyond the initial 10 attract ₦22,000 each. Individual and family enrolments outside of groups are also available at slightly different rates. Each enrollee must provide their NIN (National Identification Number) during registration.

GIFSHIP enrolees have the right to choose both their HMO and their primary healthcare provider (HCP) — a flexibility that makes the programme meaningfully useful in urban environments where hospital choice matters.

3. Vulnerable Group Programmes — For Those Who Need It Most

The NHIA Act makes specific provision for vulnerable groups — Nigerians who cannot afford premiums at all. These groups include children under five years of age, pregnant women, physically challenged individuals, elderly citizens, prison inmates, and refugees. Coverage for these groups is funded through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) — a special government allocation under the National Health Act.

If you or a family member falls into any of these categories, contact your nearest NHIA office or primary health centre to understand how to access coverage. The process varies by state, and not all states have fully implemented this component of the programme yet — but it is a legal right worth pursuing.

4. Community-Based Social Health Insurance Programmes (CBSHIP)

For rural communities, market associations, religious organisations, and cooperative groups, NHIA offers Community-Based Social Health Insurance Programmes. These function similarly to GIFSHIP but are structured around existing community organisations and typically use community health workers as the primary access point for registration and care. If you are part of a market traders’ association, a religious body, or a cooperative, enquire with your leadership about whether a community health insurance arrangement exists or could be established.

Part 5: How to Register for NHIS Step by Step in 2026

If you are a formal sector employee:

1. Speak to your HR or finance department and confirm whether your employer has registered the company under FSSHIP.
2. If yes, confirm that your name is on the employee register and that your 5% salary deductions are being remitted to the NHIA.
3. Receive your NHIS enrolment number and ID card — this is your proof of coverage.
4. Choose your preferred HMO from the NHIA-accredited list (if your employer allows choice) and select your primary healthcare facility.
5. If your employer has not registered, remind them that NHIS registration is a legal requirement under the NHIA Act 2022 for companies with 10 or more employees.

If you are self-employed or in the informal sector (GIFSHIP):

1. Form or join a group of at least 10 people — family members, friends, market colleagues, church members, or cooperative members all count.
2. Submit an application to NHIA with a document listing the group name and all members to be enrolled, including each person’s NIN.
3. Choose your HMO from the approved NHIA list — visit nhia.gov.ng for the full accredited HMO directory.
4. Pay your premium: ₦22,000 per person per year minimum. Payment can be made online via the REMITA platform or at a bank using the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) generated during registration.
5. Pay ₦1,500 per person for your NHIA ID card.
6. Receive your NHIA ID card and select your preferred primary healthcare provider.

Online and USSD registration options:

For voluntary contributors and those in the informal sector who prefer not to visit an NHIA office, online registration is available at nhia.gov.ng. Select “Register,” fill in your details, choose your HMO, and follow the payment instructions. Alternatively, dial *616# on any mobile network to access the USSD registration portal — a simple menu-driven process that works without internet access and is particularly useful for Nigerians in areas with limited broadband connectivity.

Part 6: What is an HMO and How Does It Work in Nigeria?

A Health Maintenance Organisation — HMO — is a private company licensed and regulated by the NHIA to provide health insurance services to individuals, families, and corporate clients. The HMO sits between you and the hospital: you pay your premium to the HMO, and the HMO pays the hospital on your behalf when you need care. You do not pay out of pocket at the hospital for covered services — your HMO ID card is your payment.

There are over 60 NHIA-accredited HMOs operating in Nigeria. Each one operates a network of hospitals and clinics — called a “panel” — that you can access using your HMO card. The wider the network, the more choices you have in terms of where to receive care. HMOs offer different plan tiers — basic, standard, executive, family, and corporate plans — with different levels of coverage, different hospital networks, and different premium costs.

Beyond the government-affiliated NHIA plans, HMOs also offer fully private health insurance plans that are not part of the NHIS framework at all. These private plans typically offer broader coverage, access to premium hospitals, shorter waiting times, and higher limits for specialist care — at correspondingly higher premium costs. For Nigerians who can afford it, a private HMO plan layered on top of or instead of NHIS provides significantly more comprehensive protection.

Part 7: The Best HMOs in Nigeria 2026 — Reviewed and Compared

🏥 1. Hygeia HMO — Nigeria’s Most Established

Hygeia HMO is arguably the most well-known name in Nigerian health insurance, benefiting from its affiliation with the Hygeia Group — the same organisation that operates Lagoon Hospitals (Iwosan), the JCI-accredited hospital group regarded as Nigeria’s gold standard for private healthcare. This connection gives Hygeia HMO members access to Lagoon’s premium hospital network, making it one of the most attractive options for Nigerians who want both insurance coverage and reliable hospital quality.

Hygeia has invested significantly in digital infrastructure — their mobile app allows members to access their coverage details, book appointments, track claims, and find accredited healthcare providers near their location. Their customer service has been consistently rated among the best in the industry, with a dedicated team that handles pre-authorisation requests and claim disputes promptly.

For corporate clients managing large employee populations, Hygeia’s reporting tools and employer dashboard are among the most sophisticated available from any Nigerian HMO. Their plans range from basic NHIA-compliant coverage to executive plans that include access to specialist consultants, comprehensive diagnostics, and dental and optical care beyond the standard NHIS limits.

Best for: Corporate clients, individuals who want access to Lagoon Hospitals, families prioritising hospital network quality.

🏥 2. Reliance HMO — Best Digital Experience

Reliance HMO has positioned itself as Nigeria’s most digitally advanced health insurance provider, and it has largely delivered on that positioning. The company was founded with an explicit mission to make health insurance accessible to more Nigerians by removing the friction that makes traditional HMO enrolment frustrating — the long form-filling, the office visits, the opaque plan structures.

With Reliance HMO, you can browse plans, get an instant quote, enrol, pay your premium, and receive your HMO ID entirely online — no office visit required. Their app is clean, functional, and includes a telemedicine feature that connects members with doctors via video call, which has been particularly valuable for Nigerians who want quick medical advice without commuting to a hospital. Their chatbot-driven customer service handles routine queries instantly, escalating to human agents for complex issues.

Their hospital network spans over 5,000 accredited providers across Nigeria — one of the broadest panel networks of any HMO in the market. Plans start from accessible price points, making Reliance particularly attractive for young professionals, startup employees, and self-employed Nigerians who want decent coverage without a complex onboarding process.

Best for: Tech-savvy individuals, young professionals, self-employed Nigerians, startups, anyone who prefers managing their health insurance entirely from their smartphone.

🏥 3. AXA Mansard Health — Premium Coverage With International Backing

For Nigerians who want the reassurance of an internationally backed insurer with deep financial reserves and global standards of governance, AXA Mansard Health is the premium choice. The health division of AXA Mansard — itself a subsidiary of the AXA Group, one of the world’s largest and most financially stable insurance companies — brings international credibility to a Nigerian market that has historically been marked by HMO insolvency and claims avoidance.

AXA Mansard’s plan range is comprehensive, from individual basic plans suitable for younger, healthier Nigerians seeking affordable protection, to executive family plans that cover specialist consultations at premium hospitals, comprehensive diagnostics, dental, optical, and wellness benefits. Their international plans — designed for Nigerians who travel frequently or spend time abroad — are unique in the Nigerian market and represent a genuine product differentiation.

Their claims processing has been rated highly by corporate clients who have experience managing health benefits at scale. Their corporate plan administration tools are robust, and their risk management products — including wellness programmes and preventive health screenings for corporate employees — add measurable value beyond pure claims coverage.

Best for: Corporate clients, frequent travellers, internationally mobile Nigerians, families seeking premium coverage with global backing.

🏥 4. Leadway Health — Backed by Nigeria’s Largest Insurer

Leadway Health — the health insurance arm of Leadway Assurance, Nigeria’s largest insurance group — benefits from the financial depth and brand trust that decades of Nigerian insurance leadership provide. For Nigerians who are wary of smaller HMOs that may struggle to meet claims obligations, Leadway’s parent company strength is a meaningful comfort factor.

Leadway Health’s hospital network is extensive, particularly in Lagos and Abuja where the company has invested most heavily in provider relationships. Their plan structures are clearly tiered and transparent, making it easier for individuals and HR managers to select the appropriate level of coverage for different employee groups. Their wellness initiatives — including annual health fairs, preventive screening programmes, and lifestyle management resources — are among the more developed in the Nigerian HMO market.

Best for: Mid to large-sized corporates, families wanting financial stability from their insurer, Abuja-based individuals where Leadway’s network is particularly strong.

🏥 5. Avon HMO — Best Budget-Friendly Option

For Nigerians at the earlier stages of their careers, those managing tight monthly budgets, or small business owners seeking to offer their employees basic but meaningful health coverage without stretching finances, Avon HMO has consistently been one of the most accessible and fairly priced options in the market.

Avon’s entry-level plans provide coverage for outpatient consultations, basic diagnostics, emergency care, and maternity services at a monthly premium that is genuinely within reach for many Nigerians who might otherwise go without any coverage at all. Their hospital network, while not as extensive as Hygeia or AXA Mansard, includes reputable facilities in major urban centres and is steadily expanding.

The principle here is important: imperfect coverage is infinitely better than no coverage. For a Nigerian earning ₦150,000–₦300,000 per month who has previously gone without any health insurance because the premiums felt too expensive, Avon’s entry plans represent a meaningful and affordable first step into the insurance world.

Best for: Young professionals, entry-level earners, small business employees, anyone taking their first step into health insurance on a tight budget.

Part 8: NHIS vs Private HMO Plan — Which is Better for You?

Feature	NHIS (via NHIA)	Private HMO Plan
Annual cost	₦22,000/person (GIFSHIP) | 5% salary deduction (formal sector)	₦60,000 – ₦400,000+ per person depending on plan
Hospital network	NHIA-accredited providers only — mostly public and mid-tier private	Wider private hospital networks including premium facilities
Coverage depth	Basic to moderate — outpatient, inpatient (21 days), maternity, medications	Basic to comprehensive — includes specialist limits, dental, optical, wellness
Access to premium hospitals	Limited (Lagoon etc. on some HMO panels)	Yes — with executive/premium plans
Family coverage	Spouse + 4 biological children included	Family plans available; varies by HMO
Digital access	Improving — *616# USSD, nhia.gov.ng portal	Most major HMOs have full app and online access
Claims speed	Variable — can be slow at public hospitals	Generally faster; cashless at panel hospitals
Best for	Budget-conscious families, formal sector employees, informal sector groups	Individuals wanting premium care, corporates, frequent hospital users

The honest recommendation: if you are employed in the formal sector, make sure your NHIS enrolment through FSSHIP is active and correct — it is partly funded by your employer and represents excellent value. If you can additionally afford a private HMO top-up plan, it provides meaningfully better access to premium hospitals and broader specialist coverage.

If you are self-employed or in the informal sector, GIFSHIP at ₦22,000 per person per year is the most affordable entry point — it costs less than ₦2,000 per month and provides genuine baseline protection. If your income allows for more, a private HMO plan from Reliance, Hygeia, or AXA Mansard provides broader, more flexible coverage.

Part 9: How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Nigeria in 2026?

Plan Type	Annual Cost (Per Person)	Monthly Equivalent	Best For
NHIS GIFSHIP (Informal/Self-Employed)	₦22,000	~₦1,833	Informal sector, self-employed
NHIS Formal Sector (FSSHIP)	5% of basic salary	Salary-linked	All formal sector employees
Private HMO — Basic Individual	₦60,000 – ₦100,000	₦5,000 – ₦8,333	Young professionals, entry-level
Private HMO — Standard Individual	₦100,000 – ₦200,000	₦8,333 – ₦16,667	Mid-level professionals
Private HMO — Executive Individual	₦200,000 – ₦400,000	₦16,667 – ₦33,333	Senior professionals, access to premium hospitals
Private HMO — Family Plan	₦300,000 – ₦800,000	₦25,000 – ₦66,667	Families with children, comprehensive coverage
Corporate Group Plans (per employee)	₦80,000 – ₦350,000	Varies	Employers, SMEs, large corporations

These figures represent approximate market ranges as of early 2026 and will vary by HMO, by specific plan features, by location, and by the age and health status of the enrollee. Always get a personalised quote from at least two or three HMOs before committing to a plan.

Part 10: How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan for Your Needs

With dozens of HMOs and hundreds of plan variants on the market, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Here is a practical, step-by-step framework for making the right choice:

Step 1: Define your non-negotiables. What healthcare services do you or your family use most often? If you have young children, maternity coverage and paediatrics matter most. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, check that specialist consultations and prescription medications for your condition are covered. If you live far from a hospital, check whether telemedicine is available on the plan.

Step 2: Check the hospital panel in your area. The most comprehensive plan on paper is worthless if none of the covered hospitals are near your home or office. Before committing to any HMO, download or request their provider directory and confirm that at least two or three hospitals you would genuinely want to use are within a reasonable distance.

Step 3: Set a realistic budget — and stick to it. Calculate what you can genuinely afford to pay monthly without strain. Health insurance is only effective if you maintain it consistently. A plan you drop after three months because the premium is too high provides far less protection than a slightly less comprehensive plan you maintain for years. Consistency is everything in insurance.

Step 4: Read the exclusions carefully. Every HMO plan has a list of conditions and services that are excluded from coverage. Common exclusions in Nigerian HMO plans include pre-existing conditions (for a waiting period of 3–12 months after enrolment), cosmetic procedures, dental work beyond basic procedures, fertility treatment, and most types of elective surgery. Know what is not covered before you commit — surprises at the hospital are the worst time to discover an exclusion.

Step 5: Test the customer service before you buy. Call or WhatsApp the HMO you are considering before enrolling. Ask a simple question about their plan. How quickly do they respond? How helpful is the information they provide? How easy is it to reach a human being? The quality of the service you receive during the sales process is a reasonable predictor of the quality of service you will receive when you need to use your coverage. If they are unresponsive before taking your money, expect worse once they have it.

Step 6: Ask about the claims process. Understand how you access care under the plan. Is it cashless at the hospital — meaning you simply show your HMO card and the hospital bills the HMO directly? Or do you pay out of pocket and claim reimbursement later? Cashless access is almost always preferable, as reimbursement models require upfront capital and can be administratively time-consuming.

Part 11: Common Myths About Health Insurance in Nigeria — Debunked

Myth 1: “I am young and healthy — I don’t need health insurance.”

This is the most dangerous myth. Health emergencies do not respect age or fitness. Road accidents — one of Nigeria’s leading causes of serious injury and death — can happen to anyone at any time. Typhoid fever, malaria complications, appendicitis, and a dozen other conditions that require immediate hospitalisation affect young, healthy people regularly. The purpose of insurance is precisely to protect you from the unexpected, which by definition you cannot predict. The time to buy insurance is before you need it, not after.

Myth 2: “NHIS is useless — the hospitals are terrible.”

This is a generalisation based on the worst experiences at the worst facilities. NHIS quality varies enormously by state, by HMO, and by the specific hospital on the panel. Many NHIA-accredited hospitals — including some mid-tier private facilities in Lagos and Abuja — provide competent, decent-standard care. The experience at a well-run NHIA-accredited clinic is meaningfully better than having no coverage and paying full private prices or avoiding care altogether because you cannot afford it.

Myth 3: “My employer’s NHIS plan is already enough.”

For basic, routine care, it may well be. But if you have a family with specific healthcare needs, a chronic condition, or simply want access to better hospitals than the standard NHIS panel, a supplementary private HMO plan layered on top of your employer coverage provides meaningful additional protection without paying for the basics twice.

Myth 4: “Insurance companies in Nigeria don’t pay claims.”

Nigeria’s insurance sector has a problematic historical reputation for claims avoidance, and it is not entirely undeserved. However, the major HMOs — Hygeia, AXA Mansard, Reliance, Leadway — are regulated institutions with NHIA oversight and reputations they have invested years building. Choosing a well-established, NHIA-accredited HMO with good independent reviews significantly reduces the risk of claims problems compared to using unknown or unaccredited providers.

Myth 5: “Health insurance is only for rich people.”

At ₦22,000 per year under GIFSHIP — less than ₦2,000 per month — NHIS is available to virtually any working Nigerian. The reality is that health insurance protects the people who can least afford a medical catastrophe. A ₦500,000 hospital bill for an uninsured person earning ₦150,000 per month is genuinely life-altering. The same bill for an insured person costs nothing out of pocket. Health insurance is not a luxury product — it is a poverty prevention tool.

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