Is health insurance really mandatory in Nigeria?
Yes. The NHIA Act, signed into law in May 2022, made health insurance mandatory for every resident of Nigeria and gave the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) far stronger regulatory powers over insurers, HMOs and healthcare providers than its predecessor, the old National Health Insurance Scheme, which had covered fewer than 5% of Nigerians after nearly two decades of operation.
How much do formal-sector employers and employees contribute?
The most commonly reported structure is a combined 15% of basic salary: 10% from the employer, 5% from the employee. A consolidated-salary variant is also reported, roughly 3.25% employer and 1.75% employee, which some sources describe as substituting for a medical allowance in a consolidated pay structure.
NHIA's own public FAQ page did not display one single confirmed percentage at the time of writing, likely because the exact structure can depend on your specific scheme and employer arrangement. Employers with five or more staff are the ones generally required to register workers with NHIA. If you're unsure what applies to your paycheck, ask your HR or payroll department directly, or contact NHIA.
What is GIFSHIP, and how much does it cost?
GIFSHIP (Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme) is NHIA's route for people outside formal employment, the self-employed, traders, artisans, and informal-sector workers who want coverage without an employer-sponsored plan.
- Group package: reported at ₦220,000 for a group of 10, with additional members at ₦22,000 each per year.
- Individual premium: reported around ₦38,718 a year through at least one participating HMO as of 2026, a sharp rise from an earlier ₦22,000 figure reported by NHIA officials.
GIFSHIP pricing has already changed materially once in recent memory, so confirm the current premium directly with NHIA or a participating HMO before budgeting around a specific number.
People also ask
What happens if my employer doesn't register me?
Since registration is a legal obligation under the NHIA Act for qualifying employers, raise it directly with your employer or NHIA if you believe you should be covered but aren't. This page doesn't cover the specific enforcement or complaint process; check NHIA's own channels for that.
Does NHIA cover pre-existing conditions?
NHIA's own site and FAQ are the authoritative source on coverage exclusions and waiting periods for specific conditions. This page focuses on contribution structure, not clinical coverage details, so check directly before assuming a condition is covered.
Can I choose my own hospital under NHIA?
Coverage runs through registered HMOs and accredited providers, not every hospital automatically. Confirm which facilities are included under your specific plan with your HMO or NHIA before you need care.