The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has approved four additional Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to provide health insurance coverage for students under the second phase of the 2026 Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).
The university announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of New Media, Mr Ambrose Gowong, following an emergency management committee meeting held on Tuesday at the institution’s headquarters in Abuja.
The newly approved HMOs are Healthspring, Noor, Novo and Precious. Their inclusion brings the total number of HMOs appointed by NOUN to eight, expanding access to healthcare services for students across the country.
The university said the second phase of the scheme was reviewed during the meeting, with emphasis on preparations for the enrolment and effective implementation of the programme.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the TISHIP scheme commenced with its first phase in January 2026 and provides health insurance coverage to NOUN students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, Chairman of the committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, said students’ welfare remained a major priority of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma.
Adamu explained that students would be enrolled through their respective study centres and issued health insurance cards, which would enable them access medical services at designated healthcare facilities in their states of residence.
He said the Directorate of Management Information System had been directed to compile lists of students in each senatorial district, including their names, registration numbers, email addresses and telephone numbers, for onward transmission to the HMOs and participating healthcare providers.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor said the initiative would enable students to access a range of medical services at affordable rates while promoting their health and wellbeing throughout their academic programmes.
He further disclosed that the university had received a list of selected hospitals that would provide healthcare services under the scheme, adding that the list would form the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding between NOUN and the participating healthcare facilities.
According to him, the agreement would clearly outline the responsibilities of the university, HMOs and healthcare providers to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
Adamu urged the approved HMOs to provide efficient, accessible and quality healthcare services to students in line with the university’s commitment to their welfare.
The TISHIP initiative is designed to strengthen access to affordable and quality healthcare for NOUN students nationwide while providing financial protection against healthcare costs.
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