The Lagos State Government has announced that enforcement of mandatory health insurance for all residents will begin in early 2026, as part of its intensified drive to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The announcement was made during the 2025 ILERA EKO Annual Provider Forum, hosted by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), where over 800 healthcare providers and stakeholders gathered to review the progress of the state’s flagship health insurance scheme and discuss future strategies.
A major highlight was the government’s decision to raise the health equity fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, aimed at increasing access to healthcare for vulnerable and low-income residents. This fund, treated as a first-line charge in the state’s budget, reinforces Lagos’s position as the first state in Nigeria to give such priority to health equity.
Delivering the keynote, LASHMA Board Chairman Dr. Adebayo Adedewe praised healthcare providers for their resilience and dedication, stating that their role remains central to the success of ILERA EKO. “Your unwavering commitment is what continues to drive us toward UHC,” he said.
Adedewe highlighted key reforms introduced by LASHMA, including performance-based categorization of providers, updated fee-for-service tariffs to ease financial pressures, and improved drug supply chains. He also noted the integration of community pharmacies into the scheme to enhance service coverage and continuity of care.
Backing these reforms, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was commended for demonstrating strong political will through sustained support and increased funding. “This administration has shown real leadership by expanding the equity fund, ensuring that no resident is left behind,” Adedewe added.
Speaking at the forum, LASHMA Permanent Secretary Dr. Emmanuella Zamba confirmed that mandatory health insurance enforcement will officially commence in early 2026, in line with an Executive Order signed by the governor in July 2024. She urged residents to enrol early, describing the scheme as a vital tool for financial and medical security.
Zamba revealed that LASHMA now has over 865 accredited healthcare providers and has implemented major internal reforms, such as transferring service authorization and claims vetting from external parties to an in-house team. This, she explained, has improved efficiency and accountability.
To combat fraud and improve identity verification, LASHMA, in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), has rolled out a biometric system that enables real-time verification of enrollees.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for continuous dialogue between providers and the agency. He encouraged stakeholders to see health insurance as mutually beneficial: offering guaranteed payments to providers and financial relief to patients.
Also addressing the forum, Chairperson of the Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria, Biola Paul-Ozie, called on LASHMA to further incentivize providers through tariff reviews and product development. She stressed the need for professionalism and fairness in service delivery to ensure enrollees are treated with respect and dignity.
Njide Ndili, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and Country Director of PharmAccess, hailed Lagos for pioneering the use of SafeCare quality levels to reward providers. “Trust in care quality is what drives enrolment and sustainability,” she noted.
The forum concluded with the unveiling of ILERA EKO Provider Signages and presentation of awards to outstanding providers in areas such as clinical excellence, data quality, enrolment, and service delivery. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships and achieving health coverage for all Lagosians.