Media Officer, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA)
The 2026 registration exercise for beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has officially commenced across Nasarawa State, with primary healthcare facilities recording an impressive public turnout following sustained community mobilisation efforts.
The exercise, which is taking place simultaneously in all BHCPF-accredited health facilities across the state’s 13 Local Government Areas and 147 wards, targets vulnerable groups including the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and children under the age of five.
During a monitoring visit by officials of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) to BHCPF facilities at Keff Primary Health Care, Jigwada, and Nasarawa Local Government Area on Monday, January 19, 2026, stakeholders at the grassroots level shared their observations and experiences regarding the ongoing registration.
Speaking on community participation, the Ward Development Committee (WDC) Chairman of the facility, Ibrahim Umar, attributed the strong turnout to extensive sensitisation and mobilisation carried out ahead of the exercise.
“Announcements were made in mosques on Friday, and I also embarked on house-to-house sensitisation to inform residents about the importance of the programme and the need to turn out in large numbers for the free registration with NASHIA under the BHCPF programme sponsored by the Federal Government,” Umar said.
He, however, noted that actual enrollment figures were affected by the requirement for a National Identification Number (NIN), which attracts a cost of about ₦1,500.
“While the turnout has been impressive, many people could not complete their registration because they do not have NIN or could not afford the cost. Despite this challenge, we will continue mobilisation and awareness campaigns to ensure that more people benefit from the programme,” he added.
Also speaking, the Officer in Charge of PHC Jigwada, Lami Ibrahim Akusu, confirmed that the NIN requirement has significantly reduced enrollment compared to previous registration exercises.
“In previous exercises, enrollment figures were much higher because everything was completely free.
The cost of obtaining NIN has discouraged many individuals and families who cannot afford it,” she explained.
Akusu further disclosed that the facility has intensified community outreach through churches, mosques, and door-to-door campaigns to encourage residents to obtain their NIN and take advantage of the free health insurance coverage provided under the BHCPF.
“To ease the process for beneficiaries, both NIN registration and BHCPF enrollment are being conducted within the facility,” she added.
Beneficiaries also commended the Federal Government for the initiative. One of the enrollees, Jibrin Adamu, described the programme as timely and impactful.
“I am here to obtain my NIN and enroll with NASHIA under the BHCPF programme, which is free and sponsored by the Federal Government.
I urge those who left because they do not have NIN to make efforts to obtain it, as the benefits of the programme far outweigh the ₦1,500 required,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that eligible residents, particularly vulnerable populations, are enrolled into the scheme in line with the state government’s drive to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare.
The agency also called on community leaders, religious institutions, and residents to continue supporting the sensitisation process to achieve wider coverage and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind.
