Lagos intensifies health insurance enforcement

Joy Agwunobi

By mid-2025, the Lagos State government will begin full enforcement of its mandatory health insurance scheme, a move aimed at ensuring universal healthcare access for all residents.

This follows an executive order issued in 2024 by  Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of the State signaling a shift in the state’s approach to healthcare financing and accessibility.

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), responsible for implementing the ILERA EKO health insurance scheme, outlined the new directive during its first-quarter media briefing for 2025. The session, attended by key stakeholders from the ministries of health and information, as well as members of the media, focused on the expansion of healthcare coverage and the need for broader public participation.

Addressing attendees at LASHMA’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, Emmanuella Zamba, the permanent secretary of  LASHMA,  reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Lagos residents.

She highlighted the importance of public awareness as a core responsibility of LASHMA, emphasising that an Executive Order issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2024 has made the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme mandatory for all residents of the state.

“We are committed to ensuring that every Lagosian is adequately sensitized and educated on the significance and compulsory nature of social health insurance,” Zamba stated, adding  that LASHMA would engage the media on a quarterly basis to provide updates and strengthen advocacy for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

She elaborated on the affordability and benefits of the Ilera Eko scheme, stating, “This social health insurance plan is the most affordable qualitative plan available, costing just a token amount of N15,000 per individual. Under this plan, beneficiaries can access general outpatient treatment, including for conditions such as fever, malaria, and respiratory illnesses. Children requiring medical care will also be covered.”

Zamba further outlined the comprehensive nature of the scheme, which includes up to 15 days of inpatient admission, dental care, eye care, chest X-rays, and essential blood tests. The scheme also extends to individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell disease. “For those enrolled for over a year, access to cancer care and dialysis is also available under the scheme,” she added.

She also pointed out that Lagos State has fully embraced the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, reinforcing Ilera Eko as the state’s social health insurance bank. “This initiative does not just cover minor health issues but also ensures that individuals with chronic illnesses receive the necessary treatment. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, the scheme provides access to your medications on a monthly basis,” she explained.

A key feature of the Ilera Eko scheme is the integration of telemedicine, allowing enrollees to access medical consultations remotely. “Once you enroll, you can consult doctors from the comfort of your home by dialing the hotline, downloading the telemedicine app, or visiting our virtual booths,” Zamba stated. She also encouraged expectant mothers to enroll in the family plan, which covers maternity care, including caesarean sections, at no additional cost.

One of the notable initiatives introduced during the event was the ILERA ‘N TIWA Cooperative, aimed at integrating the informal sector into the health insurance ecosystem. Zamba explained that this cooperative offers flexible payment plans for artisans, traders, and low-income earners to ensure that they are not excluded from accessing healthcare services.

Additionally, LASHMA launched the ILERA EKO Academy, an initiative designed to train a larger sales force to enhance public awareness and drive enrollment in the health scheme. “This academy serves as a platform to train agents who will educate Lagosians on the benefits of enrolling in ILERA EKO. So far, we have trained 250 sales agents between 2024 and 2025, with more training sessions planned,” she revealed.

To further improve accessibility, LASHMA has expanded its registration options to include physical enrollment centers across Lagos, designated community pharmacies, USSD registration, and an online portal. Zamba emphasised, “ILERA EKO is mandatory for every resident of Lagos State. For those who are yet to enroll, registration has been made simple and accessible. You can register at our Head Office, The Good Shepherd House opposite Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, at our Divisional and Sub-Divisional Offices across the state, or at any community pharmacy or healthcare provider under the ILERA EKO Scheme.”

She called on journalists to play an active role in promoting the scheme. “We acknowledge that there is still much to be done to raise awareness and boost enrollment. I urge every stakeholder, including our journalists, to continuously highlight the importance and benefits of this scheme and help dispel myths and misinformation surrounding health insurance. Together, we can build a healthier Lagos and achieve universal health coverage,” she stated.

Similarly, Nifesimi Akinnagbe, technical assistant on Lagos Social Health Insurance Executive Order, emphasised the state’s commitment to driving compliance.

He noted that while awareness campaigns have been ongoing, the government is set to intensify outreach efforts.

“We are entering the full enforcement phase. By the third quarter of 2025, every Lagos resident will be required to comply with the compulsory health insurance policy,” Akinnagbe stated, adding that sensitisation will extend to local communities through direct engagement.

On his part, Kayode Oyekanmi, who represented the permanent secretary of the ministry of information and strategy, commended LASHMA for its proactive approach to healthcare accessibility. He stressed that public awareness is essential to the success of healthcare initiatives and urged journalists to provide robust coverage of the ILERA EKO scheme to enhance its effectiveness.

As part of its drive to increase enrollment in the ILERA EKO health insurance scheme, LASHMA also  introduced an enterprise platform designed to create income opportunities for individuals who help attract more Lagos residents to the programme.

Rotimi Olatunji, head of business development at LASHMA, explained the rationale behind the initiative, highlighting its unique multi-level marketing approach.

“We discovered that the most consequential reward Nigerians care about is cash incentives. Therefore, we have adopted a multi-level marketing system where members earn financial rewards for successfully enrolling others into ILERA EKO,” Olatunji stated. “With this, we have effectively introduced an enterprise platform that enables individuals to build a sustainable income stream.”

Beyond financial incentives, Olatunji emphasised that the initiative serves as a financial inclusion strategy for individuals who struggle with making upfront health insurance payments. “Through this initiative, members can make gradual payments while still gaining access to healthcare services and other social impact benefits,” he explained.

Additionally, cooperative members under this scheme will enjoy financial rewards, access to low-interest loans, and preventive healthcare programmes.

“You can join and pay in small amounts for the mandatory health insurance scheme. This initiative provides an opportunity for those who cannot afford a one-time payment while also allowing them to benefit from cooperative advantages such as loans, cash rewards, and incentives for bringing in more members,” Olatunji added.

Describing the platform as the first of its kind in Nigeria, he encouraged Lagos residents to take advantage of the opportunity to access quality healthcare at minimal cost.