NSSF targets informal sector for health insurance uptake in 2026 strategy
The Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) says it will prioritise expanding health insurance enrolment among Nigeria’s informal sector workers in its 2026 strategy.
The Managing Director/CEO of NSSF, Dr Fejiro Chinye- Nwoko disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
Chinye- Nwoko said the move aims to improve health coverage for millions of Nigerians currently outside the formal health insurance system.
She said that inspite of ongoing reforms in the country’s health financing system, insurance coverage remained low, particularly among informal sector workers.
She noted that many workers in the informal economy remain uninsured due to affordability challenges, low awareness, irregular income and limited access to reliable information.
She stressed that fewer than 10 per cent of Nigerians were currently enrolled in any form of health insurance, leaving many to rely on out-of-pocket spending for healthcare services.
To address the gap, she said its 2026 programmes would focus on community engagement, awareness campaigns and youth-led advocacy initiatives.
She explained that through its WeNaija platform, NSSF has mobilised young Nigerians to lead grassroots advocacy and community health engagement activities.
She said youth-led initiatives under the platform recorded measurable impact in 2025, including securing one-year free health insurance coverage for sickle cell patients in Osun.
She added that it would deepen youth participation to build awareness and trust around health insurance across informal sector communities.
She also acknowledged the support of partners such as EY, Access Bank, MTN, Coronation, Oando and First Pension Custodian in advancing health equity initiatives.
She said that ss part of its 2026 strategy, NSSF would also conduct targeted research to understand barriers to health insurance adoption among informal sector workers.
According to her, the research findings will inform policy discussions, practical recommendations and pilot initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s health insurance system.
“Our focus this year is clear.
“Expanding health insurance coverage within the informal sector is critical to improving financial protection and health security for millions of Nigerians,” Chinye- Nwoko said.
She added that combining youth advocacy, community engagement and evidence-based research would help drive more inclusive health insurance coverage.
She called on policymakers, development partners, youth networks and community leaders to collaborate with NSSF in expanding sustainable health insurance coverage nationwide.
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