News
Reps to probe NHIA over alleged gross inefficiency
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the alleged inefficiency in the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
NHIS is a health insurance policy for every Nigerian and legal resident.
The House’s resolution to probe the scheme was a sequel to a motion moved during Thursday’s plenary by the member representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde Federal Constituency, Adamawa State, Laori Bitrus.
Leading the debate, the Adamawa lawmaker noted that since the passage of the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, the NHIS enjoyed the cooperation of the National Assembly in terms of annual budgetary allocations for it to perform optimally in delivering its mandate to Nigerians.
According to him, enrollees into the scheme “in urban and semi-urban settlements have received extremely poor service from health maintenance organisations, both private and public healthcare facilitates, which is distressing given the harsh reality that Nigerians are faced with the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic policies of the government.”
This is just as he added that medical professionals and other healthcare service providers treat enrollee patients with disdain, “subjecting Nigerians to unnecessary delay with the aim of frustrating patients from accessing services while the HMOs smile to the bank monthly for services poorly rendered.”
He continued, “Some enrollees have recently chosen to pay in full for medical services in establishments other than the HMO they subscribed to, to avoid needless stress and, harassment, that characterised the enrollee patients like beggars devoid of human dignity and respect.
“This scenario could further undermine Nigerians’ trust in the programme if left unchecked considering how crucial a healthy population is to the country’s productivity. The purportedly dehumanising treatment of enrollees and the regular out-of-stock or shortage of necessary medications and consumables in the majority of HMOs require an investigation.
“The House is worried that wherever possible, enrolled patients are made to purchase out-of-stock drugs and consumables outside and they often do so without a refund or any form of compensation from the HMOs, which raises questions about the integrity of the scheme.
“We are also worried about the growing allegations of abysmal service expressed by Nigerians with different unpleasant accounts of frustrations and dehumanised treatments in various HMOs across
the nation.”
According to the lawmaker, if the development is not addressed it would amount to fraud and a gross disservice to Nigerians on whose behalf the government is funding the programme.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services “To investigate the cause of the alleged gross inefficiency of the NHIS and recommend ways the scheme can be made to function more efficiently and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.”
Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.
The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.
The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.
In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.
A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.
Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.
The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.
He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet
Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
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