Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to develop a clear roadmap with measurable yearly enrolment targets through 2030 to accelerate health insurance coverage and move Nigeria closer to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Despite more than two decades since the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was launched to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending and improve access to quality care, the association said that enrolment has remained disappointingly low.

The call was made by members of the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) at a press briefing ahead of the Board’s 2026 Mid-Year Meeting and Eighth Public Lecture in Lagos, where they argued that stronger government commitment.

Effective implementation strategies and broader stakeholder participation are critical to expanding health insurance enrolment across the country.

Chairman of the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting Planning Committee and Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Pharmacist Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, who was represented by Pharmacist Ignatius Anukwu, said the Board introduced the annual public lecture eight years ago to stimulate national conversations around pressing healthcare issues and generate practical policy recommendations.

According to him, this year’s public lecture, scheduled for July 15, will examine the theme, “Insurance-Based Healthcare Financing: Key to Achieving Universal Health Coverage.” Apakama said the theme was informed by the slow pace of health insurance enrolment despite the scheme’s existence for over 20 years.

Also, experts have called for stronger policies, infrastructure and institutional support to ensure that Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital health ecosystem translates into improved healthcare outcomes.

They made the call at the 2026 annual conference of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) in Lagos, themed: “Driving Digital Innovation for a Healthier Nigeria.”

The experts noted that Nigeria’s digital health sector now boasts more than 120 active health technology startups, which have attracted over $271 million in cumulative investment.

However, they stressed that innovation must deliver measurable improvements in healthcare delivery rather than merely showcase technological sophistication.

Chairman of Access Holdings and a PSHAN board member, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said technology alone cannot transform healthcare without strong institutions and effective systems.

According to him, healthcare remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigerians, with millions still struggling to access quality, affordable services.

Earlier, PSHAN’s Director of Policy and Programmes, Dr Anne Adah-Ogoh, said the conference brought together leaders, innovators, investors and development partners committed to building a healthier Nigeria.

Also speaking, Flutterwave Nigeria Country Head, Chizoba Okafor, described digital infrastructure as the missing link in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation.

He said healthcare delivery depends not only on hospitals, equipment and medical personnel but also on seamless digital payment systems that make services more accessible and affordable.