Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s NHIS suspended

Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf [Photo: Concise News]
Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf [Photo: Concise News]

The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, has been suspended, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, approved the suspension on Thursday with immediate effect, multiple sources familiar with the development informed PREMIUM TIMES Thursday night.

Mr. Yusuf, 54, took over the state-run health insurance provider on July 29, 2016.

But his reign has been fraught with allegations of fraud.

The suspension came weeks after the Senate launched investigations into his activities as the NHIS chief.

The lawmakers accused Mr. Yusuf of “corrupt expenditure of N292 million” which he allegedly spent on health care training “without recourse to any appropriate approving authority.”

The NHIS chief has denied any wrongdoing.

Reached for comments about the development, Mr. Yusuf denied he had been suspended, telling PREMIUM TIMES the allegations against him are unfounded.

“Who told you I have been suspended or that I did any sharp practices? The person should come forward with proofs,” he said.

But multiple sources in the NHIS and the Health Ministry confirmed that Mr. Yusuf received his suspension letter Thursday evening.

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, did not immediately respond to requests for comments Thursday night.

Boade Akinola and Odoh Onuh, spokespersons for the Health Ministry and NHIS, both said in separate phone interviews that they weren’t aware of such development before leaving their respective offices on Thursday.

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  • Kamoru

    The Northerner in position of funds who will not commit fraud is yet to be born

    • Lukman Asifat

      You opened your mouth in any how because your mouth walk faster than your brain.Animal in human skin.

      • Adrusa

        The previous person that was sacked and caught with millions of dollars at Lagos Airport is a Southerner.

        • 0tile

          Are you talking about Babachir? Hell no, Babachir is from Daura, North.

          • Adrusa

            Was Babachir in NHIS?

        • FreeNigeria

          They’re all Nigerians, they ooze of corruption

    • Nurah Mohammed Ringim

      I am not defending corruption. But first this man has not been proven guilty, secondly corruption is found all over the world. In Nigeria it is a National problem not a northern one. Be an objective person not a tribal bigot. I am not defending anyone but all tribes have sincere as well as insincere individuals. Grow up.

      • Onike24

        You wasted the time you spent posting this; ignore trolls…

  • 0tile

    See the pattern, Alhaji Usman Yusuf took over the state-run health insurance provider on July 29, 2016. Alhaji Yusuf came in during Buhari’s short-lived popularity among APC minions. This scandal coupled with a whopping One Billion Buhari gave to Buba Marwa stink to high heavens. Who said that Buhari is not corrupt to the teeth?

    • IBRAHIM DAUDA

      Not suprise it is your stock in trade.

      • 0tile

        Is Mohamed Buhari not holding tight as the Minister of Petroleum?

    • simon tor gideon

      If you are not aware,the immediate past ES of NHIS was a Yoruba man and he was booted out of office for stupendously stealing NHIS money,part of which he gave Jonathan for his campaign purposes.You are just a tribal bigot from all outlooks

      • Kallah Bature

        The disclosure of the monumental fraud by the Executive Secretary might be his albatross.This is purely a case of corruption fighting back.He stepped on powerful,corrupt and stupendously rich toes.He should tighten his belt and get ready for the dirty fight. Meanwhile PTimes please verify your sources and let this be confirmed first.

  • LadyRosely

    They set the guy up

  • Annax Chukwu

    Hausas can steal sha..
    Though I like the guy but the criminal blood in abokis is following him too

    • Nurah Mohammed Ringim

      Aboki or nyamiri corruption is not a tribal issue unless you are blinded by tribal sentiment and hatred typical of your type.

      • Nurah Mohammed Ringim

        More over it is just an allegation… and by the way aboki means friend so find another derogatory word for us you hate… Your benefactors!

    • Ali Mubi

      Please contribute meaningfully.Nigeria is for all of us.Remember the evil that men do live after them.

  • Let Freedom reign

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    Let freedom reign!!!
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    ———

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  • GbemigaO

    He stepped on toes ?

  • Annax Chukwu

    @nura, but the issue of public stealing is synonymous with abokis, or what do u think?

    • Nurah Mohammed Ringim

      That is your myopic opinion.An educated person should think better.

      • Nurah Mohammed Ringim

        If you get your Biafra which I pray you get, strive to get a country devoid of corruption .

  • MilitaryPolice01

    Governance at the Federal level today is like a rudderless ship. Could it be that the Minister actually suspended the man but he called Daura and co who told him to ignore Adewale and continue. Babachir Grasscutter Lawal once famously but but codedly asked – ‘Who is the Presidency ?’

  • NOI sucks

    The moment Yusuf came on air to say the HMO’ s were benefitting from the rot in the NHIS scheme, I knew the looters will make sure they remove him. This man just opened the can of worms in NHIS at a public hearing, Nigeria can never be great, it’s not a curse but a fact.