By Sarah NEGEDU
A recent report by the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, has ranked the Federal Capital Territory second highest jurisdiction in Nigeria with the widest health insurance coverage.
The feat, which was recorded in the latest 2025 fourth-quarter Health Insurance Enrollment Coverage Report released in January 2026, places the FCT at 32.5 percent coverage, based on population projections from the National Population Commission.
Only Delta State performed higher with 52.9 percent, while Lagos State followed with 20.8 percent.
The FCT rose from fifth place in the previous quarter following what officials describe as expanded enrollment strategies and stronger public uptake of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.
Reacting to the ranking, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the improvement reflects targeted outreach and support programmes championed by the Administration.
“We called on our friends and well-wishers to come and Pay Health Insurance on behalf of persons who cannot afford, and indeed they came through for us, by sponsoring over two thousand (2,000) persons especially pregnant women and children,” she said.
She explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF, revalidation and enrolment exercise, alongside consistent premium payments approved by the FCT leadership, enhanced confidence among healthcare providers.
“The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State FCT Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, early into their appointment cleared all the backlogs of capitations and Fee for Service that the FHIS had owed healthcare providers almost to the tune of N4billion hindered the provision of quality-of-service delivery in the health sector,” she added.
Dr. Fasawe noted that the scheme has also strengthened its digital infrastructure to make access easier for residents.
“The FHIS has now deployed of a robust insurance software solution that enables self-enrolment by the public, selfcare services, review of the benefit package and premiums amongst others, all of which has brought back confidence in the FCT Health Insurance.”
The NHIA report further shows that the FCT now ranks fifth nationwide in total enrollment numbers, rising from 28th position three to four years ago. Only Delta, Lagos, Kano State, and Kaduna State ranked higher in absolute enrolee figures.
The FHIS, headed by Acting Director Dr. Salamatu Belgore Lawal, provides coverage at an annual premium of N22,500 per person. The package includes primary care, antenatal services, minor surgeries, emergency care, laboratory tests, and a range of secondary care procedures such as caesarean sections, appendectomy, and myomectomy.
Officials say the Administration expects enrolment momentum to continue as more residents take advantage of ongoing digital upgrades and community-based enrollment drives.
