Kelechi Ohiri: Transforming Nigeria's Healthcare System

Kelechi Ohiri serves as the director-general of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Nigeria, a position he was appointed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. Ohiri, a medical doctor trained at the University of Lagos, holds a Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University.

His career includes roles at McKinsey & Company in London, the World Bank, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where he was chief strategy, policy, and innovation officer. Ohiri views healthcare as economic infrastructure, arguing that healthy populations lead to increased productivity and wealth creation.

He believes universal health coverage is a national competitiveness strategy rather than just a social obligation. His return to Nigeria to lead the NHIA reflects his commitment to public sector reform, focusing on systems rather than programs, and he has previously advised Nigerian ministers on health and finance reforms.