EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIOECONOMIC AND POLICY FACTORS ON INFORMAL WORKERS' ENROLLMENT IN NIGERIA'S HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

This study examines factors influencing enrollment in Nigeria's National Health Insurance Act 2022 (NHIA) healthcare program among informal economy workers, who often face poor safety, health conditions, and limited insurance coverage, leading to preventable health issues. A sample of 389 workers from Ikorodu, Lagos, completed structured questionnaires. Using Least Square statistics, results show that life events, disposable income, sales agent influence, and friendly society engagement positively impact NHIA enrollment. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should innovate existing offerings by including benefits like hospital reimbursement and co-payments, while collaborating with friendly societies to build trust and improve healthcare access for informal sector workers.