NASHIA Urges COE Akwanga to Enroll in Health Insurance Scheme

By Mariam Ekom

Dr. Yahaya Bawa Ubam, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA), has called on the College of Education (COE) Akwanga to join the state's Health Insurance scheme, highlighting its benefits for both civil servants and students.

During an advocacy visit to the institution on March 9, 2026, Dr. Ubam disclosed that all tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State have already enrolled in the scheme. He specifically noted that Nasarawa State University (NSUK) has upgraded its healthcare facilities using funds from the Tertiary Institutions Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).

The Executive Secretary explained the formal and TISHIP programme options, emphasizing that they significantly reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for parents and guardians. He reminded the institution that refusal to enroll could attract sanctions, citing the enabling law of 2018 which established the scheme.

Dr. Ubam commended Governor Abdullahi Sule's commitment to expanding healthcare access across the state, noting that institutions like COE Akwanga stand to benefit from facility upgrades through the scheme.

Responding, the Provost of COE Akwanga, Dr. Barau Nuhu Barnabas Best, expressed appreciation for NASHIA's visit. He shared his personal positive experience with the federal health insurance scheme, though he initially wondered if it differed from NASHIA's programme.

Dr. Barau recounted how his wife had a seamless experience with the federal scheme, and expressed confidence that COE Akwanga would benefit similarly by joining NASHIA. He assured the NASHIA team that management and various unions within the institution would deliberate on enrollment, given the scheme's attractive benefits package.

The Provost acknowledged that with other tertiary institutions already enrolled, COE Akwanga could not afford to miss this opportunity to provide affordable healthcare coverage for its community.

The visit forms part of NASHIA's ongoing efforts to expand healthcare coverage and ensure universal health access across Nasarawa State.