Federal Government Starts NHIA Deductions, Civil Servants Push Back
By Gambo Jagindi
November 12, 2025
The Federal Government has officially begun mandatory health‑insurance deductions from the October 2025 salaries of civil servants across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). A circular titled “Implementation of Statutory Deduction for the National Health Insurance Scheme” clarified that the policy took effect in October 2025 and is intended to give federal employees access to affordable healthcare under the NHIA.
“A mandatory NHIA contribution has been deducted from every federal government employee’s monthly salary beginning from the month of October. This adjustment accounts for the observed reduction in the October 2025 salary across MDAs,” the statement explained.
The NHIA programme, established to promote universal health coverage, aims to provide financial protection and quality medical care for Nigerian workers. Government sources claim that nearly 99 percent of federal employees are already enrolled in the scheme.
According to Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the government has expanded national health‑insurance coverage from 20 million to 60 million Nigerians, a move he said would ease healthcare access nationwide. The NHIA law, signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022, mandates both public and private sector employers and employees to participate as part of Nigeria’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
The deductions, ranging from about ₦1,000 to ₦2,000 per month, have sparked widespread complaints on social media. Civil servants described the cuts as “unannounced” and “insensitive,” especially amid economic hardship and rising living costs. While some workers acknowledge the long‑term benefits of accessible healthcare, many argue that the rollout should have been better communicated and implemented gradually.
Aluta News reports that the Federal Government maintains that the scheme will improve access to affordable care, and further sensitization workshops are planned to clarify the process and address concerns.