Lagos State may be on the brink of a public health milestone as it accelerates efforts to deliver universal health care to its over 20 million residents.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) hosted the ILERA EKO Annual Provider Forum, rallying more than 800 healthcare providers and stakeholders around the goal of expanding access to affordable and quality care through strategic partnerships.
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Held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, the high-level event centred on the theme: “Driving Universal Health Coverage through Strategic Partnerships.”
It provided a platform to review progress, introduce reforms, and strengthen provider collaboration under the ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s flagship initiative for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
LASHMA Board Chairman Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, in his keynote address, applauded healthcare providers as the foundation of ILERA EKO’s success. He outlined reforms to improve operational efficiency and provider motivation, including categorisation by performance, revised tariffs to address economic pressures, and the inclusion of community pharmacies to widen access.
Dr. Adedewe highlighted a major financial commitment: Lagos is the only state in Nigeria to make its health equity fund a first-line charge, a legally guaranteed allocation for the poor. “From ₦1 billion in 2024, Mr. Governor increased it to ₦3 billion this year, demonstrating true leadership and a firm commitment to equity,” he said.
Enforcement of mandatory health insurance to begin in 2026
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, announced that enforcement of mandatory health insurance will begin in early 2026, following an executive order issued in July 2024.
“We want all residents to be aware and onboard before enforcement begins,” she said, describing ILERA EKO as a financial safety net for all Lagosians.
Dr. Zamba also reported that LASHMA now has over 865 empanelled providers and has strengthened oversight by transitioning service authorisations and claims vetting in-house.
The agency has introduced biometric verification in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) to confirm patient identity in real time and reduce fraud.
“This innovation helps us ensure timely, targeted care for enrollees,” she said, urging providers to use the forum to give feedback and co-develop solutions. “Together, we can build a more resilient health system.”
Also, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasised the importance of mutual understanding between LASHMA and providers. He described health insurance as a win-win: “It guarantees payment and sustainability for providers while protecting patients from financial hardship.”
Similarly, Chairman of the Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria, Biola Paul-Ozie, urged continued investment in providers and called for ethical conduct in service delivery.
“We must eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure enrollees are treated with dignity,” she said.
Likewise, Njide Ndili, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and Country Director for PharmAccess, praised LASHMA’s global leadership in linking provider rewards to SafeCare quality standards. “Trust drives participation—and participation drives sustainability,” she said, calling trust the cornerstone of enrolment growth.
With over 865 empanelled providers, biometric verification systems in place, and enforcement looming, ILERA EKO is evolving from an ambitious vision into a robust, scalable model of inclusive health insurance.
As stakeholders resolved to strengthen partnerships and uphold a shared vision, one question lingered above all: Is Lagos set for historic universal health care access?
FURTHER READING
If the reforms underway are any indication, the answer might very well be yes.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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