….. As LSG introduces ILERA EKO “Pay Small Small“
As part of efforts to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for residents, especially those in the informal sector, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has introduced a new flexible payment option, ILERA EKO EasyPay.
The initiative was unveiled during the agency’s first quarter media parley in Alausa, Lagos, where officials emphasized the need to remove financial barriers that prevent many Lagosians from enrolling in health insurance.
At the event, the Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, described EasyPay as a practical response to the realities of how people earn and spend.
Drawing a comparison with the early days of mobile telecommunications, he said:
“Just like recharge cards changed how we use phones, this is changing how people pay for health insurance.”
Rotimi explained that the EasyPay system is built as a mobile wallet, allowing residents to save gradually over time instead of paying a lump sum premium upfront.
“Save small, but pay complete,” he said.
Under the model, individuals and families can contribute in bits, daily, weekly, or as income comes in over a period of up to three months. Explaining that further that, once the required premium is reached, the system automatically activates their health insurance coverage.
According to him, the structure is particularly meant for traders, artisans, and others in the informal economy who may not have steady monthly income.
“A lot of nano businesses will appreciate this. As money comes, they can contribute,” he noted.
Beyond flexibility, Rotimi stated, the wallet is designed to encourage a saving culture, while also offering users visibility and control over their contributions through their mobile devices.
The Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said, the introduction of EasyPay is part of broader innovations aimed at expanding access to healthcare in line with current economic realities.
“This initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers and expand access, particularly for low- and middle-income earners,” she said.
She added that the agency is building on earlier initiatives such as “Pay Small Small,” but with improved structure and technology to make enrollment easier and more efficient.
The EasyPay rollout also aligns with the Lagos State Government’s policy on mandatory health insurance under the ILERA EKO scheme, which requires all residents to be enrolled.
Providing further context, the Technical Assistant on the implementation of the Executive Order, Dr Nifemi Akinnagbe, reiterated that enrollment is no longer optional.
“ILERA EKO is now compulsory in Lagos State,” he stressed.
He explained that while enforcement is on across ministries, the informal sector, and corporate organizations, solutions like EasyPay are critical to ensuring compliance without placing financial strain on residents.
The agency noted that the wallet is dedicated strictly to health insurance payments, ensuring that funds saved are used for coverage, while still allowing users to earn modest returns on their savings.
During the interactive session, LASHMA officials also hinted that more features may be added to the platform over time based on public feedback, but stressed that the focus remains on delivering a simple and socially impactful solution.
“We will grow it gradually whatever we add must make sense for the public,” Dr. Zamba said.
With EasyPay, LASHMA aims to close the gap between intention and action making it easier for residents to not only understand the importance of health insurance but to actually pay for it in a way that fits their daily realities.
As the agency continues to expand awareness and enforcement, EasyPay stands out as a key tool in driving enrollment and moving Lagos closer to universal health coverage.