The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to enforce mandatory health insurance with the formal appointment of the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, as Enforcement Leads of the Lagos State Health Scheme Executive Order and ILERA EKO Champions.
The investiture ceremony, held on January 19, 2026, at the Ministry of Health, marked a renewed push to accelerate enrolment and compliance with the ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme, which aims to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending among residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Abayomi said the move reflects Lagos State’s deliberate shift from cash-based healthcare payments to insurance-driven financing, describing health insurance as a critical social safety net.
He stressed that changing public attitudes towards insurance is essential to achieving universal health coverage.He recalled that Lagos became the first state to domesticate the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act through an Executive Order in July 2024, making health insurance compulsory.
According to him, the decision demonstrated the Governor’s strong commitment to sustainable healthcare financing.Abayomi also warned against discrimination against insured patients, noting that negative attitudes towards ILERA EKO enrollees discourage participation.
He pledged that insurance compliance would be prioritised during healthcare facility inspections.In her remarks, Dr Ogunyemi said the enforcement role underscores the legal status of the scheme and aligns with Lagos State’s THEMES+ development agenda.
She urged health officials to integrate ILERA EKO promotion into all programmes, stressing that advocacy for health insurance is a shared responsibility.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said Lagos is pioneering mandatory health insurance in Nigeria, with trained enforcement nominees across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure compliance beyond the health sector.
She explained that the formal designation of the Commissioner and Special Adviser was aimed at strengthening enforcement and recognising their leadership in advancing universal health coverage in the state.
The ceremony concluded with a call for sustained collaboration across the public service, as Lagos State reaffirmed its resolve to expand health insurance coverage and build a more resilient healthcare system through mandatory participation.