The Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by announcing that enforcement of mandatory health insurance for all residents will begin in early 2026.
As part of this effort, the state government has increased its health equity fund to ₦3 billion, prioritising access for vulnerable and indigent citizens.
The announcement was made at the 2025 ILERA EKO Annual Provider Forum hosted by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) in Lagos on Wednesday, where over 800 healthcare providers and stakeholders gathered to review progress, share insights, and align on next steps for the state’s flagship health insurance scheme.
Chairman of the board of LASHMA, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, who delivered the keynote address, commended the resilience and professionalism of healthcare providers, emphasising that they remain the foundation upon which the success of ILERA EKO rests. “Your commitment has propelled our shared journey toward Universal Health Coverage,” he said, noting that strategic partnerships were essential to scale impact and build trust.
He revealed that LASHMA had implemented several provider-focused reforms, including categorisation by performance, provision of essential drugs, and revised fee-for-service tariffs to cushion economic pressures. “We have also expanded access by incorporating community pharmacies into the scheme, ensuring continuity of care and broader reach,” Adedewe stated.
Highlighting the political will of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, Adedewe announced that Lagos remains the first and only state in Nigeria to prioritise its equity fund for the poor as a first-line charge. “From N1 billion in 2024, Mr. Governor increased it to N3 billion this year, demonstrating true leadership and a firm commitment to equity,” he said.
In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, disclosed that enforcement of mandatory health insurance in Lagos State would begin in earnest in early 2026, following the governor’s Executive Order issued in July 2024. “We want all residents to be aware and onboard before enforcement begins,” she said, urging residents to embrace the scheme as a financial protection tool.
Zamba stated that the agency now has over 865 enpannelled providers and has made critical structural reforms, such as transitioning service authorisations and claims vetting from third-party administrators to an in-house team. “This has led to faster turnaround times and improved oversight,” she said.
She also revealed the rollout of biometric verification systems in partnership with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), which enables real-time identity confirmation and reduces fraud. “This technological innovation helps us ensure that enrollees receive timely, targeted care,” she noted.
Emphasising collaboration, Zamba noted that the forum was not just a review of progress but an avenue to gather feedback. “This is your platform to share insights, highlight challenges, and co-develop solutions with us. Together, we can build a more resilient health system,” she said.
Permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, stressed the importance of mutual understanding between LASHMA and service providers. He noted that the forum enables a balanced view of the challenges on both sides, ensuring continuous improvements in the scheme’s implementation.
Ogboye urged providers to see health insurance as a win-win for both patients and practitioners. “It guarantees payment and sustainability for providers while protecting patients from financial hardship. Let’s commit to making it work for the benefit of all,” he appealed.
Chairman of the Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria, Biola Paul-Ozie, commended LASHMA for setting the pace nationally and encouraged the agency to further incentivize providers through tariff reviews and product innovation. “We must work together to improve enrolment and quality delivery,” she stated.
Paul-Ozie emphasized the role of ethics and professionalism among providers. “We must eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure that enrollees are treated with the dignity they deserve. Health outcomes depend on how faithfully we deliver care,” she added.
President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and Country Director, PharmAccess, Njide Ndili, described providers as the “anchors of Universal Health Coverage” and hailed LASHMA’s pioneering incentive-based quality framework. “Globally, Lagos is the first to reward providers based on SafeCare quality levels—this is a major milestone,” she noted.
Ndili highlighted trust as the linchpin of enrolment growth, urging providers to maintain high standards. “When citizens are confident in care quality, they’re more willing to prepay. Trust drives participation—and participation drives sustainability,” she affirmed.
The highpoint of the occasion was the unveiling of the Ilera-Eko Provider Signages and presentations awards of excellence to outstanding providers for quality of service, clinical excellence, audit compliance, data quality, outstanding enrolment drive, most improved facilities amongst others.
As the forum ended, stakeholders resolved to strengthen partnerships and uphold the shared vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage for Lagosians. With enforcement on the horizon and reforms well underway, ILERA EKO continues to serve as a model of inclusive, sustainable health insurance in Nigeria.
