The Nigerian Senate has given its approval to the appointment of Dr. Kelechi Ohiri as the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The confirmation of Ohiri's appointment took place during a plenary session on Wednesday, following a request made by President Bola Tinubu.
Dr. Ohiri is among the Chief Executive Officers of Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare who were appointed by President Tinubu in October 2023. His appointment to the NHIA is seen as a significant step in strengthening the health sector in Nigeria.
Prior to his appointment, Dr. Ohiri served as the Managing Director for Strategy at the Global Alliance for Vaccines in Geneva, Switzerland. He holds a Masters in Public Health degree from Harvard University (USA) and another Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. These qualifications were obtained after his initial medical certification from the University of Lagos.
Dr. Ohiri brings to the NHIA a wealth of experience garnered from his time serving in the World Bank, McKinsey & Company, and his contributions to shaping reforms to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom. His extensive background and expertise are expected to drive significant improvements in the NHIA under his leadership.