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By Doris Obinna
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has unveiled a new flexible payment platform, Ilera Eko EasyPay, to enable residents to make gradual contributions toward their health insurance premiums, as the state government intensifies enforcement of compulsory social health insurance across ministries, departments, agencies, and healthcare facilities.
The initiative was announced on Monday during the agency’s 2026 first-quarter (Y2026 Q1) media parley, where government officials, education stakeholders, healthcare partners, journalists, students, and parents gathered to review the agency’s activities and plans.
Speaking, Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the EasyPay platform was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities and to remove financial barriers preventing many residents, especially low and middle-income earners and informal sector workers, from enrolling in health insurance.
According to her, the wallet-based platform allows residents to save gradually over three months until they complete their premium payments, after which their health insurance cover becomes active automatically.
She explained that an individual can save up to N15,000 for a personal plan, while a family of four can save N55,000, and a family of six can save N80,000 within three months to activate coverage.
Zamba said the platform was designed to encourage a savings culture, eliminate the burden of lump-sum payment, and reduce the risk of residents remaining uninsured.
She added that the wallet would also offer secure transactions, automated tracking of payments and the possibility of earning interest on savings kept in the account.
“The model is simple, save small but pay complete. Once your premium is completed, your health insurance becomes active immediately for one year. Residents can continue saving after activation so that their renewal is seamless.”
She noted that the agency remained committed to innovation and expanding access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services for Lagos residents.
Zamba also disclosed that the state government had stepped up enforcement of the Executive Order (EO) signed in 2024, making health insurance mandatory for all residents.
She said the first phase of enforcement focused on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), where residents seeking government services would now be required to present proof of enrollment under the Ilera Eko scheme before access is granted.
According to her, LASHMA has already completed a baseline compliance assessment across MDAs to determine whether they are implementing the directive, onboarding staff and creating Ilera Eko help desks for public interaction.
“Any MDA you go to in Lagos State is expected to require proof of Ilera Eko before granting access to services. This is to ensure wider coverage and compliance,” she added.
She further explained that the next phase of enforcement would target the informal sector, including artisans, traders, transport workers and unstructured workers, while the third phase would focus on the organised private sector, described as Corporate Lagos.
The permanent secretary said stakeholder engagement had already begun across local government areas and local council development areas to drive grassroots enrollment and implementation.
To ensure quality healthcare services for enrollees, she reiterated that the agency had also commenced facility readiness and compliance assessments in hospitals and clinics across the state. According to her, the first phase of the exercise, conducted between March 16 and 27, covered primary healthcare centres and some private hospitals, while the next phases would include general hospitals and tertiary institutions.
She explained that hospitals are expected to establish Ilera Eko desks and vulnerable desks where uninsured residents can be enrolled immediately, while indigent patients who meet eligibility criteria can be captured under the state’s equity fund.
Zamba disclosed that Lagos State had increased the equity fund for vulnerable residents from N1 billion to N3 billion, enabling more indigent persons to access free healthcare through insurance coverage.
“Vulnerable persons identified at health facilities would not only receive care immediately, but would also be enrolled under the state’s subsidised insurance programme for future treatment.”
She described journalists as critical partners in correcting misinformation and promoting awareness.
“Our partnership with the media is invaluable. Through your platforms, residents can understand that health insurance is not a luxury but a necessity.”
The event also featured the presentation of awards to winners of the Ilera Eko Essay Competition organised for public school students in Lagos.
Zamba said the competition attracted 731 entries, of which 500 met the criteria and were assessed across four categories.
She said the winners would not only receive prizes but would also be decorated as Ilera Eko advocates to help spread awareness of health insurance among students, families and communities.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olarewaju Bajulaiye, commended LASHMA for involving young people in public enlightenment.
He said children remain the future of society and can serve as effective ambassadors when properly educated on health issues.
“When children buy into a good cause, they spread it naturally. They will go back to their homes and schools and tell others that the government is bringing good healthcare closer to the people,” he stated.
Speaking on implementation strategy, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nifesimi Akinnagbe, said the agency was also scaling up community sensitisation through town hall meetings, local government partnerships and direct engagement with market associations and trade groups.
He said a state equity fund remained available to support indigent residents who are unable to pay premiums, while accredited healthcare providers were being trained to align with the new policy framework.
Akinnagbe said hospitals and clinics would increasingly be integrated into the enforcement process by requesting proof of enrolment and registering uninsured patients at the point of care.
