Akwa Ibom Governor Clinches Double National Honours for Health Insurance, Healthcare Reforms

The Akwa Ibom State Government has received two major national awards in recognition of its achievements in healthcare delivery and health insurance expansion, with Governor Umo Eno honoured for his leadership and the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA) recognised for its rapid growth in healthcare coverage.

The Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria (IHIMN) presented Governor Eno with the Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria Award 2026, while AKSHIA received the Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage Award 2026 at the 2026 Health Insurance and Managed Care National Leadership Award of Excellence held on Thursday at Rockview Hotel, Abuja.

Reacting to the awards, Chairman of AKSHIA and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Insurance, Dr. Edikan Ekwere, said the recognition validates the state government’s deliberate investments in the health sector under Governor Eno’s administration.

He said the governor’s commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare has transformed the sector through key reforms, including the declaration of a state of emergency in healthcare, the recruitment of more than 3,000 health workers, expansion of health insurance coverage and strengthened emergency medical services.

“I am very proud of my governor. This award recognises the deliberate interventions he has made to improve the health sector. His commitment to making healthcare affordable and accessible has earned him this national recognition,” Ekwere said.

According to him, the reforms have increased enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme, enabling more residents to access quality healthcare services without the burden of excessive out-of-pocket expenses.

Speaking on AKSHIA’s award, Ekwere described the recognition as an incentive to further expand healthcare coverage across the state.

He credited the agency’s success to the unwavering support of Governor Eno, the commitment of its management and staff, and the leadership of the Executive Secretary in driving the state’s health insurance programme.

“This award encourages us to do even more. Our focus remains on enrolling more people, especially the vulnerable, so they can access quality healthcare without exhausting their savings. It motivates us to continue delivering efficient, transparent and people-centred services,” he said.

He assured residents that the agency would sustain efforts to increase enrolment, improve service delivery and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers as part of its commitment to achieving universal health coverage in Akwa Ibom State.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Dr. Igbemi Arthur Igbemi described the national honours bestowed on Governor Umo Eno and the agency as a clear validation of the state’s commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare through health insurance.

Dr. Igbemi said Governor Eno’s recognition as the Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria and AKSHIA’s emergence as the Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage were well deserved, considering the administration’s deliberate investments in the health sector.

According to him, health insurance plays a vital role in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses by providing financial protection for all residents of Akwa Ibom State.

“Health insurance helps to finance healthcare for the people and significantly reduces out-of-pocket spending. It provides financial protection for every resident of Akwa Ibom State, irrespective of status, as long as they live and work in the state,” he said.

Dr. Igbemi noted that the agency, which was inaugurated on September 20, 2024, by Governor Umo Eno, was established to ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.

He described the governor as a visionary leader who recognized the importance of decentralising health insurance in line with national policy and took decisive steps to establish the agency through legislation passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Also speaking, the Principal Administration Officer at the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Jerome, expressed appreciation to IHIMN for the recognition and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the healthcare objectives of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

She said the administration would continue to prioritise affordable and accessible healthcare for the elderly, vulnerable persons, rural communities and all indigenes of the state.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of IHIMN, Dr. Moses Ayibiowu, said the institute recognised Akwa Ibom State for its sustained commitment to strengthening the health sector and expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare through effective health insurance programmes.

He also commended other states for demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation and professionalism in advancing health insurance and managed care across the country.

The event, themed “Building a Robust Capacity for Universal Health Coverage,” brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, health insurance operators and other stakeholders to explore sustainable strategies for achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Other states honoured at the ceremony included Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, the Federal Capital Territory, Imo, Ondo and Sokoto.

In separate goodwill messages, award recipients described the honours as not only a recognition of achievements but also a call for deeper collaboration, stronger institutions and accelerated reforms aimed at guaranteeing affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.