The Lagos State Government has announced that starting from early 2026, everyone living in the state will need to have health insurance. This means you must be signed up for a health plan before you can get medical treatment at government hospitals — except in emergencies.
This new rule follows an order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in July 2025. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuel Zamba, explained this at a meeting with doctors, hospitals, and other health workers at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja.
Dr. Zamba said the government wants everyone to know about this policy and join early. “We don’t want anyone to be surprised. This is to help people pay for health care without stress,” she said.
She also promised that in serious emergencies, people will still get help even if they don’t have their insurance card at the time. “We are putting systems in place to make sure no one is left out when they really need help,” she added.
To stop people from cheating the system or using someone else’s ID, LASHMA is working with the Lagos Residents Registration Agency to bring in fingerprint card readers at hospitals. This way, only real members of the scheme will get the benefits.
Dr. Zamba also shared that the government is using technology to reach more people. For example:
People can now call a free phone number or use a mobile app to talk to a doctor anytime, even if they live far away from a hospital.
There are now special “virtual health booths” in markets where people can get health advice and talk to doctors.
She said the event, called the Ilera Eko Providers Forum, is more than just a meeting. It’s a way for the government and health workers to talk, share ideas, and solve problems together.
From now on, LASHMA will meet with hospitals and health providers every few months to listen to their feedback and improve the health insurance system.
Right now, Lagos has over 865 hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics that are part of the scheme — including dentists and eye doctors. Dr. Zamba said these health workers are being trained to help people register for health insurance right at their clinic or hospital.
In fact, more than 400 healthcare workers have already been trained through a new school called the Ilera Eko Academy. This school teaches them how to help more people sign up and use the insurance system properly.
“This is a team effort,” she said. “We all have to work together to make it better for everyone
