Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – In a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe as the Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). The appointment, which took effect on March 11, 2025, is for an initial term of four years.
Dr. Oloriegbe, a former senator who represented Kwara Central in the 9th Senate, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health from 2019 to 2023, as well as the Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health, where he played a key role in shaping health policies in the country.
His academic credentials include a Master’s in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford, UK, and HEC, Paris, as well as a Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. Dr. Oloriegbe is a respected member of various professional organizations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), the Nigeria Venereal Disease Association, the Guild of Medical Directors of Nigeria, the International AIDS Society (IAS), and the Africa Health Leadership and Management Network.
The NHIA, formerly known as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), is tasked with expanding healthcare access to Nigerians through health insurance coverage. With Dr. Oloriegbe’s background in both medical practice and health policy legislation, expectations are high that his leadership will drive reforms to improve the efficiency and reach of the agency.
President Tinubu’s administration has prioritized healthcare sector reforms as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda. The appointment of Dr. Oloriegbe is seen as a strategic decision to enhance the implementation of health insurance policies and increase access to affordable healthcare for Nigerians.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the appointment in a statement released on March 30, 2025. The announcement has been met with optimism from stakeholders in the health sector, who believe Dr. Oloriegbe’s extensive experience will contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s health insurance framework.
As the new NHIA Chairman, Dr. Oloriegbe is expected to lead initiatives that will address challenges in the nation’s health insurance system, improve coverage for vulnerable populations, and enhance the overall efficiency of the authority. Nigerians will be watching closely as he takes on this crucial responsibility in the nation’s health sector.
