Nigeria, July 12 -- The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has inaugurated the new governing council of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

At the inauguration ceremony on Friday in Abuja, Mr Pate charged the members to build on recent progress towards achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.

He described the newly appointed members as "qualified and capable," noting that the council chair, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, brings valuable experience as a former senator and lead sponsor of the NHIA Act.

In March, President Bola Tinubu appointed Ibrahim Oloriegbe as Chairman of the NHIA for an initial term of four years. The appointment marks a return to public service for the former senator who repre...