Health insurance experts have called for an aggressive drive to strengthen professional capacity, deepen institutional partnerships and expand health insurance coverage as Nigeria intensifies efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The experts said building a highly skilled workforce and strengthening the country’s health insurance architecture are indispensable to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to affordable, quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.

The position was canvassed at the 2026 Health Insurance and Managed Care National Leadership Award of Excellence, organised by the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN), with the theme, “Building Robust Capacity for Universal Health Coverage.”

Delivering the keynote address, the Patron of IHIMN and former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky, described health insurance as the most sustainable mechanism for financing healthcare delivery, stressing that wider insurance coverage remains the surest path to quality healthcare and financial protection for millions of Nigerians.

According to him, sustained investment in capacity development, professional education and institutional reforms will not only strengthen the health insurance ecosystem but also accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards achieving universal health coverage.

Lecky expressed confidence that with the right policies and continued stakeholder commitment, Nigeria’s health insurance sector is well-positioned to deliver improved health outcomes and greater social protection.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of IHIMN, Dr. Moses Aiyebowo, said the institute has become the country’s leading platform for developing competent health insurance professionals through specialised training, certification and licensing programmes.

He explained that the institute works closely with state governments and Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to build technical capacity and improve healthcare financing across the federation.

Aiyebowo noted that health insurance has continued to transform access to healthcare, with millions of Nigerians already benefiting from the scheme while the sector creates thousands of employment opportunities.

He, however, maintained that the industry’s growth must be anchored on professionalism, transparency and strict adherence to global best practices.

“You can’t cut corners with health insurance,” he declared.

He also advocated stronger collaboration between IHIMN, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to deepen awareness, strengthen implementation and extend health insurance services to underserved communities across the country.

Chairman of the Board of Fellows of IHIMN and former General Manager (Technical Operations) of the NHIS, Dr. Hope Uweja, echoed the call for sustained investment in human capital, institutional development and professional excellence.

He said only a resilient, well-regulated and professionally driven health insurance system can guarantee equitable healthcare access for every Nigerian, urging governments, regulators and private sector operators to sustain collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

The event also celebrated excellence in the health insurance sector through the presentation of the Health Insurance and Managed Care National Leadership Awards 2026, recognising states, institutions and industry leaders for outstanding contributions to healthcare financing, innovation and service delivery.

Akwa Ibom State emerged as one of the biggest winners, receiving both the Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria Award 2026 and the Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage Award.

Bayelsa State was honoured with the Best Health Insurance Agency in ICT Innovation Systems Award 2026, while Cross River State received the Outstanding Commitment to Equitable Healthcare Access Award.

Delta State won the Governor of the Year in State Social Health Insurance in Nigeria Award, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) received the Excellence in Health Insurance Administration Award 2026, and Imo State clinched the Grand Award for Excellence in Health Insurance Leadership 2026.

Other award recipients included Kebbi State for Best Agency in Project Management, Lagos State for the Outstanding Female Health Insurance Leader of the Year Award, Ondo State for Best Agency in Benefit Package Management, Sokoto State for Excellence in Social Health Protection, while the Yobe State Health Insurance Agency was recognised with the Beneficiary Satisfaction Excellence Award 2026.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger investment in human capacity, innovation and institutional collaboration will significantly expand health insurance coverage and move Nigeria closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.