The Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has launched a nationwide study aimed at addressing the persistently low participation of informal sector workers in health insurance schemes across the country.
The initiative, titled Informal Sector Health Insurance Participation and Enrollment in Nigeria (INSPIRE-NG) Study, was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Abuja, bringing together key actors in Nigeria’s health sector.
Participants at the meeting included representatives from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Federal Ministry of Health, state health insurance agencies, health maintenance organisations, development partners, and health financing experts.
Speaking at the event, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of NSSF, Dr. Adedayo Aderibigbe, said the study is designed to generate critical evidence needed to expand health insurance coverage among informal sector workers, who make up about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce.
Despite their large numbers, Aderibigbe noted that insurance coverage within the informal sector remains significantly low, leaving millions exposed to catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and financial hardship.
He stressed that understanding the realities, needs, and priorities of informal workers is essential for designing health insurance models that are practical, accessible, and trusted.
“For too long, health insurance discussions have focused largely on the formal sector, while millions in the informal economy remain uninsured and vulnerable,” he said. “INSPIRE-NG offers an opportunity to develop scalable, evidence-based solutions that truly work for Nigerians.”
According to him, the study is expected to produce actionable insights that will help increase insurance enrollment, strengthen the health system, and improve overall health outcomes.
Petra Global Consulting, the firm leading the study, disclosed that the research will be conducted across six states representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones—Ogun, Delta, Enugu, Kano, Borno, and Kwara.
The study will engage over 4,200 respondents through a mix of focus group discussions and key informant interviews. It will assess factors such as awareness, affordability, trust, digital access, payment preferences, enrollment intentions, and healthcare-seeking behaviours that influence insurance uptake.
Stakeholders at the engagement described the initiative as timely and crucial for strengthening Nigeria’s health financing framework.
Dr. Gbenga Ijaodola, Deputy Director in the Planning, Research and Statistics Department of the Federal Ministry of Health, said the study would help uncover the underlying causes of low insurance coverage in the informal sector.
“This research will enable us to ask the right questions and better understand why health insurance uptake remains low, particularly among informal workers,” he said. “It presents a major opportunity to generate evidence that can improve demand for health insurance.”
Ijaodola expressed optimism that the findings would guide policymakers and implementers in designing more effective strategies to expand coverage and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
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NSSF noted that the outcomes of the INSPIRE-NG study will inform the development of targeted interventions and pilot models that can be refined and scaled nationwide.
The organisation added that stakeholder consultations will continue as data collection begins in the selected states, marking the first phase of a broader effort to enhance financial protection and improve access to quality healthcare for Nigerians in the informal sector.
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