Tension is rising in Edo State following the reported relocation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) South-South Zonal Office from Benin City to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A socio-cultural organisation, Edo First, has accused the NHIA South-South Zonal Director, Obaro Ologbo, of influencing the decision to move the office out of Edo State.
However, Ologbo has strongly denied the allegation, describing it as a “big, fat lie” and insisting that the decision was taken by the NHIA headquarters in Abuja.
Edo First Alleges Bias in NHIA Office Relocation
In a statement signed by its President, Edosa Idahosa, and Secretary, Ehiadolor Osakue, Edo First described the relocation as a deliberate affront to Edo State.
The group claimed that the decision to move the zonal office from Benin City to Port Harcourt was orchestrated by the zonal director for personal reasons, citing proximity to his adopted base in Bayelsa State.
According to the statement:
Edo State Government provided rent-free accommodation for nearly 20 years.
A Certificate of Occupancy was issued for a permanent NHIA site in Benin.
The zonal office allegedly suffered neglect under the current leadership.
The group called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and other prominent Edo leaders to intervene and prevent the relocation.
NHIA Memo Confirms Creation of New Zonal Structure
An internal memo dated February 4 and signed by the NHIA Director of Human Resources, Halima Zakari, announced the restructuring of the agency.
The memo disclosed that the NHIA Governing Council, during its August 2025 retreat, approved:
Creation of two new departments:
Strategic Purchasing Department
Risk and Regulatory Services Department
These departments have commenced operations pending ratification by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The memo also confirmed the establishment of seven zonal offices, including:
North Central – Ilorin
North East – Maiduguri
North West – Kano
South East – Enugu
South-South – Port Harcourt
South West – Ibadan
Lagos Zonal Office – Lagos
Staff were directed to take note of the new organisational structure.
Zonal Director Denies Influencing Decision
Reacting in a telephone interview, Obaro Ologbo rejected claims that he influenced the relocation of the NHIA office.
He stated that decisions within the NHIA follow established institutional processes involving the governing board and top management.
“There is a board and top management. There are many channels before decisions are taken. I cannot be instrumental to government decisions. It is absolutely not true,” he said.
Ologbo emphasised that the relocation decision was made at the federal level and not by any single individual.
What the NHIA Does
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is a federal government agency responsible for improving access to affordable healthcare in Nigeria.
The agency:
Manages health insurance contributions
Regulates health insurance schemes
Oversees enrolment in both formal and informal sectors
Partners with healthcare providers
Offers benefit packages for employees, families, the elderly, and self-employed Nigerians
The NHIA replaced the former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as part of reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
Growing Political and Regional Implications
The controversy surrounding the NHIA office relocation has sparked political and regional sentiments in Edo State, with stakeholders describing the move as a setback to the state’s federal presence.
As tensions rise, attention now shifts to whether federal authorities will review the decision or maintain the newly announced zonal structure.
