State Social Health Insurance Agencies across Nigeria have enrolled nearly 14 million Nigerians as of April 2026, with Delta State leading the chart with about 3 million enrollees.
Chairman of the SSHIAs Forum and Director-General of Katsina Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Mr. Mohammed Safana, disclosed this at the just-concluded Maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies in Ondo State.
Speaking during the summit which has the theme “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for Sustainable Health Insuranc”, Safana said the numbers represent Nigerians now accessing care without catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses. He described the summit as historic, being the first-time representatives from all 36 states and the FCT gathered to chart strategies for affordable, quality healthcare.
Safana attributed the gains to strong state ownership, community engagement, and accountability. He also commended the Federal Government for increasing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from 1% to 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, describing it as a landmark intervention for primary healthcare and vulnerable groups.
On the topic “Delta’s Shift to Sustainability”, Director-General of Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, said the commission has moved beyond enrolment targets. The focus, he said, is now on sustainability and system integrity.
To tackle fraud, DSCHC has deployed facial recognition technology alongside independent real-time Service Quality Monitors. Akpoveta said the biometric verification has strengthened accountability and ensured resources reach actual beneficiaries.
Declaring the summit open, Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage and announced free health insurance for retirees in Ondo State. He urged states to scale partnerships and share best practices to make quality healthcare accessible to all Nigerians.
