Some members of staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have expressed dissatisfaction over management’s decision to make enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) compulsory for all employees.

The aggrieved workers argued that participation in the scheme had always been optional and questioned the rationale behind making it mandatory without prior consultation or detailed clarification on benefits.

An internal memo dated February 17, 2026, with reference number: FAAN/HQ/DHR&A/2026/Vol.1.25, and signed by the Director of Human Resources and Administration/Chairman, FAAN NHIS-HMO Committee, Dr Emiola Luqman Olatunbosun, directed all staff to enroll in the health insurance scheme.

With the head: ‘Reminder: Link for Registration for Choice of Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO)’, the memo, obtained by The Guardian, directed employees to select their preferred Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) from three approved providers – AXA Mansard, Leadway Health and AVON.

According to the memo, the directive aligned with a Federal Government policy mandating all citizens to enroll under the scheme, now administered by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

It further stated that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) was compulsory and forms part of the required documentation for onboarding for all staff.

The memo read in part: “All staff are hereby reminded that having a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory and forms part of the required documentation for onboarding under the NHIS scheme. staff are therefore advised to ensure that their NIN is readily available.

“The date scheduled for the commencement of staff onboarding by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will be communicated in due course.”

However, some staff members have called for more transparency and sensitisation before implementation.

One employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was a need for management to organise an enlightenment campaign to clarify the financial implications and benefits of the scheme.

“Most FAAN staff are not part of the NHIS for various reasons. First, we don’t know how much medication each staff member, including their spouse and four children, is entitled to in a year.

“In terms of drugs, what is the quality and quantity a staff is entitled to receive? What happens to a staff member who does not activate their plan within a year?

“Some of us have just a few years left in service. I think enlistment in the NHIS should remain optional so that those who do not activate theirs can receive something at the end of the year,” the source said.