The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has unveiled a grassroots push to expand health insurance enrollment, starting with a stakeholders’ forum in Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA that secured coverage for 1,000 vulnerable residents.
The “Ilera Eko, Ilera Ibile” engagement, held at the LCDA Secretariat in Ilupeju, convened council officials, traditional rulers, market leaders, and health partners to drive uptake of the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko.
Organised with Conference 57, the body of Lagos’ 57 LGAs and LCDAs, the forum is the first phase of a three-part campaign to deepen community-level coverage.
LASHMA Permanent Secretary Doctor Emmanuella Zamba called the engagement a “strategic platform for collaboration and collective action” to reach universal health coverage. She said the drive follows resolutions from LASHMA’s February 2026 retreat with council chairmen.
“Next phases include door-to-door sensitisation and a local compliance monitoring framework to sustain enrollment”, She said.
Zamba reaffirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s executive order making health insurance mandatory for all residents saying to back it the state’s equity fund for vulnerable groups has been raised to ₦3 billion and ringfenced as a first-line charge to guarantee access.
The Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) will lead identification and enrollment of indigent residents. Flexible payment models including “Pay Small, Small” instalments and cooperative schemes are also live to lower financial barriers, she added.
Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA Chairman, Seyi Jakande, who announced the council’s sponsorship of 1,000 vulnerable residents, with registration starting immediately said Ilera Eko covers consultations, surgeries, maternal care, physiotherapy, and telemedicine across accredited providers.
Jakande listed ongoing health investments: primary health centre upgrades, medical outreaches, immunisation drives, and plans for new facilities.
He urged traditional rulers, market groups, and community leaders to mobilise residents.
“Healthcare is the foundation for economic growth,” he said.
Clinton Health Access Initiative analyst, Cynthia Kukoyi, also pledged continued technical support, especially for the door-to-door phase. She commended the LCDA’s “proactive approach.”
LASHMA Area Coordinator for Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye and Mushin LGA, Ogunnaike Adewunmi, stressed that the scheme eliminates out-of-pocket spending.
She confirmed enforcement of mandatory enrollment has begun.
LASHMA Head of Business Development, Olatunji Rotimi, said the “Pay Small, Small” model lets residents spread premiums over time, while cooperative plans unlock immediate care plus added social benefits.
Traditional ruler Oba Sikirulah Williams, backed the initiative and urged artisans and traders to enrol.
Also speaking,
Iyaloja, Alhaja Adebimpe Muftiat, echoed the call, linking good health to market productivity.
Closing the session, LCDA Medical Officer of Health Doctor Abimbola Folabi cited local gains including 24-hour service at primary health centres and rollout of electronic medical records while urging stakeholders to act as ambassadors for the scheme.
The forum ended with a joint pledge to push enrollment, boost awareness, and ensure no resident is left behind in accessing affordable, quality care.
