By DADA. AYOKHAI
A prominent socio-cultural organization, Edo First, has condemned the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) decision to relocate its zonal office from Benin City to Port Harcourt, describing it as a “deliberate affront” on Edo State
The group reacted to a memo dated February 4, 2026, which designated Port Harcourt as the new South-South zonal headquarters, ending Benin’s years-long tenure as the hub.
The memo stated in part: “This is to inform all that the NHIA Governing Counci at its first retreat in August, 2025 approved the creation of two (2) new Departments: 1. Strategic Purchasing Department 2. 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. “
The memo signed by Halima Y. Zakari, Director HRMD, stated further: “Furthermore, the Organizational Structure of the Authority now has seven Zonal Offices as follows.”
It listed the zonal offices and their headquarters as 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); Lagos Zonal Office (Lagos).
All staff were requested to take note .
However, Edo First said the plot to relocate the office from Benin to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was without justification and hatched by the zonal director of South South zone.
In a statement signed by its President, Edosa Idahosa and Secretary, Ehiadolor Osakue, the group accused the zonal director of orchestrating the move for selfish reasons, citing proximity to his adopted home base of Bayelsa and his country home in Delta state.
The statement noted that Edo State Government in her gratitude manner 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 settle in Benin, with his family and business interests based in Bayelsa State.
The zonal office, the organization alleged, is currently suffering from neglect, self-interest, and intimidation swirling around the zonal director.
Sources revealed that the director is never present in the Benin office since his deployment in 2024. He is said to be in his adopted state rather than being in the zonal office thereby giving room for laxity.
The office is reportedly in disarray, with no alternative light source, no staff motivation, and weeds overgrowing the premises. His support for the relocation to Port Harcourt is purely on the basis of being closer to his Bayelsa base, the group said.
The group said a visit to the Benin Zonal Office of the health insurance body obviously will reveal the absence of leadership. “He has virtually not appeared in office for over six (6) months and two of the official vehicles meant for the zonal office are said to be in his Bayelsa home, with no alternative source of light, no form of motivation for other staff to work, with weeds taking over the office”, the group maintained.
The statement noted that no notable achievement has taken place in the zonal office since he was posted there. The group stated that Benin is home to numerous zonal offices and National Headquarters of many Federal agencies/parastatals and emphasized that the good people of Edo State that have hosted the NHIA Zonal Office since inception are already seeing it as being shortchanged.
Edo First therefore called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and influential Edo State personalities to investigate the matter and prevent the relocation, allegedly being pushed by the zonal director for personal gains, adding the whole issue is presently politicized.
The group acvused the zonal director of soliciting support from an influential governor from the zone to back the move.
