AWARENESS AND WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY FOR TAKAFUL HEALTH INSURANCE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA’S INFORMAL SECTOR

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria is severely hampered by low insurance penetration, a challenge acutely felt in the Northern regions where poverty, weak health infrastructure, and cultural factors intersect. While the potential of Takaful (Islamic insurance) to address religious sensitivities is recognized, its market viability remains poorly understood. This study assessed the determinants of health insurance adoption in Northern Nigeria, with a specific focus on gauging the awareness and demand for Takaful, regional disparities, and the impact of chronic disease burden. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 257 informal sector workers across three major markets in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano. Data on demographics, health status, awareness of conventional insurance and Takaful, and willingness-to-pay were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Awareness of conventional health insurance was moderate (56.8%), but familiarity with Takaful was critically low (9.7%). However, after an explanation, willingness to enroll was overwhelming (96.5%). A key paradox emerged: individuals with a chronic condition were significantly less likely to express interest in a health plan (ρ = -0.343, p