The House of Representatives on Tuesday ordered a sweeping investigation into the persistent failures of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and its affiliated Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), citing poor service delivery, corruption, and inadequate access to care for Nigerians.
This decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Hon. Dr. Billy Osawaru, who decried the dismal performance of the NHIA despite reforms introduced through the NHIA Act of 2022.
> “Only about five percent of Nigerians are enrolled in the scheme—this is unacceptable,” Osawaru said. “Enrollees are routinely denied access to life-saving procedures like cesarean sections and appendectomies, while providers go unpaid for months.”
He accused HMOs of frustrating the goals of universal health coverage through delays in payments, limited access to essential drugs, and rising out-of-pocket costs that leave vulnerable Nigerians in despair.
The House subsequently mandated the Director-General of the NHIA to work with its Committee on Healthcare Services to examine the system’s failures and propose reforms. The Committees on Healthcare Services and Health Institutions were also directed to investigate the NHIA and report back in four weeks.
Meanwhile, the House condemned the brutal killing of 13 unarmed travellers from Unguwan Rimi in Sabon Gari LGA of Kaduna State, who were ambushed and murdered in Mangu LGA of Plateau State on June 20, while en route to a wedding.
Raising the motion, Rep. Sadiq Ango Abdullahi described the massacre as a “heinous, senseless act” and blamed worsening inter-state insecurity for the tragedy.
“These were innocent Nigerians on a peaceful journey, yet they became victims of growing criminality and unchecked violence,” he said.
Lawmakers observed a minute’s silence for the slain victims and demanded immediate action from the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS Director-General, and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The House called on the Federal Government to strengthen inter-state security frameworks to protect travellers and urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the victims’ families.
An ad-hoc committee was set up to investigate the recurring violence on that route and report back within two weeks, while relevant committees on security were tasked with ensuring compliance with all resolutions.
“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” the House reaffirmed, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
