The Lagos State Government has taken a major step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the signing of an Executive Order making health insurance mandatory for every resident of the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this at the maiden edition of the Eko Health Convention 2025, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, with the theme “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change,” held at Jewel Aeida, Lekki.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the governor said the directive aligns with the National Health Insurance Act, ensuring that all Lagosians contribute according to their means and are protected when they need care.
“When we launched the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme in February 2021, we made it clear that universal health coverage requires a reliable and inclusive system.
“In July 2024, I signed an Executive Order making health insurance mandatory for all residents of Lagos State,” he stated.
“Without a shared pool of resources, universal coverage is impossible. When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all.”
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that effective health insurance must be supported by a robust emergency medical system, adding that the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) continues to serve as the backbone of the state’s emergency response network.
“These efforts affirm our conviction that timely and efficient emergency care must be a right, not a privilege,” he said. “Today, Lagos boasts 360 public health facilities and more than 3,500 private ones, forming a unified ecosystem where both sectors work hand in hand to expand access and uphold the promise of a truly integrated healthcare system.”
The governor urged health stakeholders to invest more in innovation, corporate social responsibility, and technology-driven service delivery, noting that access to quality healthcare must be based on need, not income.
He further highlighted the inclusion of Health and Environment as key pillars of his administration’s THEMES agenda, listing several achievements such as the commissioning of new Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry, and Epe; the renovation of general hospitals; and the construction of landmark projects including the New Massey Street Specialist Children’s Hospital, Ojo General Hospital, the Lagos State Mental Health Institute in Ketu-Ejirin, and the Cardio-Renal Centre in Gbagada.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the state’s new health transformation blueprint aims to make Lagos Africa’s health and innovation powerhouse, reduce mortality, and boost economic productivity through data-driven reforms.
“Lagos loses about $1.5 billion annually to outbound medical tourism—more than our total health budget,” Abayomi revealed.
“Our blueprint will build world-class facilities, expand insurance coverage, and create jobs in the medical and biotech sectors.”
He disclosed that the blueprint also introduces climate-resilient hospital designs, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, the proposed Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science, and a Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) that will digitally link all public hospitals and primary health centres across the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reiterated that collaboration remains central to the state’s healthcare vision.
“We want to educate and empower citizens to take control of their health and wellness,” she said.
“Government cannot do it alone; through strong Public-Private Partnerships, we can deliver affordable and quality healthcare for all Lagosians.
”With the new Executive Order and strategic investments outlined, Lagos State appears poised to redefine its health landscape — from insurance coverage to infrastructure — positioning itself as a leading model for sustainable healthcare delivery in Africa.
