Rep. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, has called for stronger roles by stakeholders in Nigeria’s health financing system.
He said the health sector requires legislative support, active state participation, and innovative funding strategies to strengthen services and expand access to quality healthcare.
According to him, this push has become necessary to achieve sustainable and equitable health financing, protect vulnerable groups, and address the fragility of Nigeria’s health system amid fiscal pressures and declining donor support.
Magaji made the call on Wednesday at the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue in Abuja, an event organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and its partners to reimagine models that will make healthcare more accessible and sustainable.
It was noted that mobilising domestic resources is central to achieving universal health coverage.
He urged states to increase allocations for health insurance and encouraged the federal government to introduce matching grants and co-financing schemes to motivate states.
He also said lawmakers are committed to strengthening financing laws, closing loopholes, and harmonising fragmented mechanisms across all levels of government.
Magaji stressed that health financing must guarantee equity and access for vulnerable Nigerians, including children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the poor.
He proposed the use of state health equity funds and the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to achieve this goal.
He added that the National Assembly would intensify oversight on the BHCPF to ensure resources strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
The lawmaker also called for accountability and transparency in fund management, urging civil society to track the use and impact of resources to build public trust.
He highlighted the need for innovation, noting that digital platforms could be deployed for premium collection, while public-private partnerships could expand coverage and attract private sector investments.
Magaji further encouraged legislators to integrate health insurance initiatives into constituency projects, arguing that such investments would deliver long-term benefits compared to unsustainable items.
He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to work with the NHIA, states, local governments, and the private sector to mobilise resources, strengthen legislation, and guarantee affordable healthcare for all Nigerians.
NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, praised the collaboration with lawmakers and partners, noting that Nigeria’s commitment to health financing is influencing both national policy and global health discussions.
He explained that legislators have visited states to assess the implementation of the BHCPF and said the country’s contributions at international forums reflect its determination to advance universal health coverage.