A socio-cultural organization, Edo First, has accused Obaro Ologbo, the South South Zonal Director of the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) of influencing the relocation of the NHIA office from Benin to Port Harcourt, River State.

However, Ologbo described the allegation as a “big, fat lie”, stating that the decision to relocate the office is the decision of the Abuja office.

In a February 4 internal memo signed by Director, Human Resources, Halima Zakari, named new seven zonal offices that have been created to run the affairs of the NHIA.

The memo stated in part, “This is to inform all that the NHIA Governing Council at its first retreat in August, 2025 approved the creation of two news departments – Strategic Purchasing Department Risk and Regulatory Services Department

“These Departments have been forwarded to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for ratification. However, the Departments have commenced operational activities.

“Furthermore, the organizational structure of the Authority now has seven Zonal Offices as follows. They are North Central Zonal Office (Ilorin); North East Zonal Office (Maiduguri); North West Zonal Office (Kano}; South East Zonal Office (Enugu); South-South Zonal Office (Port Harcourt); South West Zonal Office (Ibadan) and Lagos Zonal Office (Lagos).

“All staff are requested to take note.”

The group said the decision to relocate its zonal office from Benin City to Port Harcourt, is a deliberate affront on Edo State.

A statement on Tuesday signed by the group President, Edosa Idahosa and Secretary, Ehiadolor Osakue, accused the zonal director of orchestrating the move for selfish reasons, citing proximity to his adopted home base of Bayelsa.

The statement read in part, “The relocation of the NHIA from Benin to Port Harcourt can be traced to the zonal director.

“The Edo State Government in its magnanimity provided rent-free accommodation for about 20 years and a Certificate of Occupancy for a permanent site, but the zonal director, from Delta State, refused to work in Benin. The zonal office is currently suffering from neglect

“We, therefore call on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and influential Edo State personalities to look into the matter and prevent the relocation.

But Ologbo told the PUNCH in a telephone interview that he was not instrumental to the relocation of the zonal office, noting there are channels of decision in the organization.

He said, “Why would I do that? There is a board, there is a top management. There are a lot of channels before decisions are taken. If there is a group saying things, they may not know how the decisions are being made.

“I am happy you are reaching out to me. I am denying the claim. It is not true. It is absolutely a big, fat lie. I can’t be instrumental to government’s decisions. It’s not me. Why should that be?”

The National Health Insurance Agency is a government body, established to provide financial access to healthcare for all citizens, aiming for universal coverage by pooling funds, regulating schemes, and managing enrolment for formal and informal sectors, replacing older, less effective systems like Nigeria’s previous National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

It manages contributions, offer benefit packages (for employees, families, elderly, self-employed), and partner with providers to ensure affordable, quality care for everyone. (The PUNCH)

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