Associate Professor and Acting Head of Department of the Commercial and Industrial 

Law (CIL), Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University (RSU), Dr Boma Geoffrey Toby (Insurance and Maritime Law), the Convener of the 4th Annual Insurance Law Symposium and Event Series (AILSES) 2025 and founder of the Insurance Law Club (INLC),  has reawakened the universal drive for a legal and mandatory health insurance coverage for all Nigerians and legal residents in the country. 

The seasoned academic juggernaut placed this demand while declaring open the 4th Annual Insurance Law Symposium and Event  Series 2025 tagged: Navigating the Future of Health Insurance in Nigeria; The Law, Trends, Challenges and Innovations, organised by the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law in collaboration with the Insurance Law Club (INLC) at the Faculty of Law auditorium of the Rivers State University on Friday. She emphasized the need for an efficient nexus in the legal framework and health insurance policy to drive a thriving and healthy nation, “The objective is to provide the platform for scholars, practitioners, health insurers, government, health managers and policy makers to engage in critical discussions and share insight on the latest developments shaping the health and insurance sectors under the extant law on the subject: The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, No.17 of 2022, to achieve the mandatory and universal health insurance coverage for all Nigerians and legal residents.”

On his part, the keynote speaker, Dean of Faculty of Law, Abia State University, Prof Collins Obioma Chijioke hinted at the inconsistencies in the National Health Insurance Authority Act which has posed difficulties in smooth implementation, hence stifling the onboarding of all Nigerians and legal residents of the benefits of the National scheme. He also made valid recommendations to include amendment of the Act and considerable government attention to the health sector as well as meeting the global benchmark for budgetary allocations.

In representative capacity through Dr. Vera Sam-Dike, Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, Rivers State; the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (RTD) Ibok Ete Ibas, assured the commitment of the state government to the success of the legal and health insurance framework for the citizenry.

Other speakers at the occasion, particularly Dr Richard Okoye, CEO/MD of SAVEALIFE GROUP, harped on the need for preventive medication via lifestyle adjustments that embrace healthy living. He also urged the government to not only build health infrastructures without adequate attention to manpower needs in the facilities as well as avoid discouragement of brain drains via global renumeration for doctors and healthcare workers. 

He lamented that with the dim radar of government\'s attention in the health sector, the 2030 Agenda of adequate, affordable, and accessible universal health insurance coverage may not be realised in Nigeria. 

In furtherance of that, other distinguished personalities also spoke to the issues of a robust bridging of legal and health insurance frameworks to put the country on the right trajectory towards the global benchmarks and health Agenda.

Notable personalities that graced the event include the Digital Vice Chancellor of RSU, Prof Isaac Zep-Obipi, former Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof  Barineme Fakae; Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof.C.C. Wigwe, SAN, FCIARB; Provost, College of Medicine, Prof Kenneth Shelu Ordu; Dr. Dagogo Cookeygam, Director, Health Services Department RSU; The MD/CEO, Nem Health Services Dr Chid Justin Onyedika; Dr Chinwe Anyanwu, MD of Regenix HMO; the State Cooridnator, NHIA, Mr Chris Itodo, JP; the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme (RIVCHPP) Dr Vetty Agala; Prof. Jones Jaja, Dean of Humanities RSU; Prof. Emylia Jaja; Deans, Heads of Departments, legal luminaries, and resourceful healthcare practitioners, notably Vision Saver Eye clinic offered free eye care to participants amongst others.

The event also featured the inauguration of the 2025 executives of the Insurance Law Club (INLC) and the unveiling of her constitution and official logo.