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Online, physical or both?
Use the official online route
Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly. Then select the employment/status option that best describes you.
No mandatory physical visit is stated in the sources we currently use
The current sources for Choose NHIA plan do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
Find official offices/centres →If this specific process gets stuck
Use NHIA's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.
View agency guidance →Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.
What you need to know before you continue
Important service-specific details that affect how you apply, what route to use, or what to avoid.
Which NHIA programme can a self-employed person or family use?
NHIA identifies GIFSHIP as a route for people outside other compulsory arrangements, including self-employed people, individuals, families, small groups, retirees and other listed categories. Use Get Covered to confirm the programme that fits your situation.
Verify with NHIA GIFSHIP ↗How do I decide which NHIA programme applies to me?
NHIA's Get Covered tool starts with employment status and whether coverage is for an individual, family or group. Use that route before paying so you do not enrol into a programme designed for a different category.
Verify with NHIA Get Covered ↗Documents, details and prerequisites you need
This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.
Your employment status
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 1: Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Whether cover is for one person, a family or a group
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 3: Indicate whether you need individual, family or group coverage where the tool asks.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Location and provider preferences where relevant
- Why you need it
- Used to identify or trace the correct application, record or transaction.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 5: Confirm the current premium/contribution, covered dependants and provider options before paying.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.
Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly.
- Your employment status
Use the official route linked on this guide and make sure you are working in the correct applicant/entity account before entering data.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Select the employment/status option that best describes you.
- Your employment status
Read the next screen or office instruction before moving on; do not assume an extra payment, document or visit is required unless the responsible agency asks for it.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Indicate whether you need individual, family or group coverage where the tool asks.
- Whether cover is for one person, a family or a group
Read the next screen or office instruction before moving on; do not assume an extra payment, document or visit is required unless the responsible agency asks for it.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Review the programme route NHIA presents and open its official enrolment instructions.
No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.
Review names, numbers, dates, contact details and selections before final submission because corrections may require a separate official process.
Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.
Confirm the current premium/contribution, covered dependants and provider options before paying.
- Location and provider preferences where relevant
Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.
Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.
What exactly happens next?
Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.
Confirm the current premium/contribution, covered dependants and provider options before paying.
Plan selection is immediate; enrolment and activation take additional processing time.
Use NHIA's official support channel with the application/reference details.
Quick answers about Choose NHIA plan
Direct answers to the questions people commonly search for, using the same verified fee, requirements, route and timeline shown in this guide.
How much does Choose NHIA plan cost in 2026?
Depends on programme — The contribution or premium differs by programme; confirm the current amount on the official NHIA route.
What do I need for Choose NHIA plan?
The current verified checklist includes Your employment status, Whether cover is for one person, a family or a group, and Location and provider preferences where relevant. Open the requirements section below for the complete list and any service-specific evidence.
Can I do Choose NHIA plan online?
Mostly online. Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly. Then select the employment/status option that best describes you. The current sources for Choose NHIA plan do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
How long does Choose NHIA plan take?
Plan selection is immediate; enrolment and activation take additional processing time.
Where do I start Choose NHIA plan?
Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly. Then select the employment/status option that best describes you.
Important notes
- Do not choose a programme only by name; NHIA programmes have different eligibility and contribution rules.
- For family cover, verify which dependants the specific programme permits.
- A private employer may have a different NHIA route from a self-employed individual.
Common questions
These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.
What should I prepare before I start?
Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.
- Your employment status — Other requirement
- Whether cover is for one person, a family or a group — Other requirement
- Location and provider preferences where relevant — Identity / account detail
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Mostly online. Open NHIA's official Get Covered page and start with the employment-status question so the programme options are narrowed correctly. Then select the employment/status option that best describes you.
The current sources for Choose NHIA plan do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
How much does this service cost?
Depends on programme — The contribution or premium differs by programme; confirm the current amount on the official NHIA route.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
Plan selection is immediate; enrolment and activation take additional processing time.
Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.
What happens after I submit or complete the main step?
Keep the evidence for Choose NHIA plan: Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.
Complete the final published step: Confirm the current premium/contribution, covered dependants and provider options before paying.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
Use NHIA's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.
Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.
What should I be careful about?
- Do not choose a programme only by name; NHIA programmes have different eligibility and contribution rules.
- For family cover, verify which dependants the specific programme permits.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?
This guide was last checked on 2026-10-01. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.
Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.
Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?
No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.
Official sources
These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.
See something outdated?
Correction reporting is checked only when you choose to report an issue, keeping normal guide loads lighter.