NHIS Crisis: Health Minister Suspends 5 Managers, 3 Others

The crisis in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has claimed more casualties as the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has approved the suspension of five managers and three other officers to ensure a thorough investigation into allegations of mismanagement and maladministration at the agency.

A statement by the ministry on Monday reads: “In furtherance to the activities of the investigative panel of inquiry and the desire to have an uninterrupted and robust investigation of all petitions at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), including Security reports on Maladministration and Mismanagement by officials of the Agency, the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac F. Adewole has approved the suspension of the following officers, in order to pave way for thorough investigation.

“The Minister urged the committee to ‘’ to remain focused, fair and transparent in the discharge of this National task despite the sensation this development has generated.

“The Acting Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr. Attahiru Ibrahim, has also been directed to ensure the immediate implementation of the suspension order.”

The affected officers are: Mr. Olufemi Akingbade – General Manger, Zonal Coordinator South- South Zone, Mr. John Okon – General Manger, Finance Account, Mr. Yusuf Fatika – General Manger, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Shehu Adamu – Assistant General Manager, Audit and Mr. Vincent Mamdam – Assistant General Manager, Head Insurance.

Others include; Mr. Safiyanu Attah – Senior Assistant Officer, Marketing, Mr. Owen Udo Udoma-Senior Manager, Contribution Management, Mr. Innocent Abbah- Senior Assistant Officer, Planning Research and Monitoring.”

The minister had earlier suspended the Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof Usman Yusuf, but who vowed not to honour the suspension order.