The Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA) has taken steps to secure formal approval for enrolling local government employees and their dependents into the state’s formal sector health insurance scheme.

During a high-level engagement held at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adams Abdulazeez, led a delegation including the Executive Secretary of KGSHIA, Dr. Aledare Adekunle, agency board members, and senior officials. They met with Commissioner Barr. Ozigi Momoh Deedat to present the agency’s proposal and seek ministerial backing.

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Dr. Adams emphasized that the current structure of the health insurance scheme, which already serves civil servants at the state level, must be extended to local government staff who have increasingly expressed a strong desire for inclusion.

He noted that Governor Usman Ododo’s administration is committed to delivering equitable and people-centered governance.

“Our state workers are already benefiting from quality and affordable healthcare through this scheme,” Dr. Adams said. “It’s time we carried our local government workforce along, in the spirit of fairness and inclusive development.”

Dr. Adekunle, while explaining the operational benefits of the formal sector plan, stated that the program would provide structured health coverage via affordable premium contributions, with access to comprehensive care across various health facilities.

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He stressed that the goal remains achieving universal health coverage for all Kogites, regardless of cadre or location.

Reacting to the presentation, Commissioner Deedat lauded the proposal as both progressive and timely. He pledged the ministry’s cooperation, assuring that the request would be given prompt attention.

Permanent Secretary, Mr. Enimola Eniola Adekunle, also gave his endorsement, sharing his personal experience as an enrollee in the program and affirming its life-changing impact.