The Lagos State Government has officially launched the implementation phase of its mandatory health insurance policy, following the inauguration of the Management Committee (ManCo) of the Lagos Private Health Partnership (LPHP) on Friday.
The initiative stems from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order EO/BOS/01/2024, mandating compulsory health insurance for all residents.
Speaking at the inauguration in Alausa, Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi described the event as the activation of a new governance structure to drive universal health coverage, starting with the formal sector.
“We’re transitioning from fragmented healthcare financing to a unified, digitally enabled system where every Lagosian is covered,” Prof. Abayomi said.
The LPHP is a public–private framework bringing together the Lagos State Government, LASHMA, NHIA, HMOs, healthcare providers, and tech innovators. It will operate through the ManCo and a Delivery Office, which begins full operations in July 2025.
The operational guidelines were developed after extensive stakeholder consultations, led by renowned health systems expert Prof. Afolabi Ogunlesi, who noted: “Lagos is Nigeria’s health insurance engine room, but inefficiencies persist. This Executive Order directly addresses those issues, especially in the organised private sector.”
Prof. Ogunlesi revealed that Lagos hosts over 46 NHIA-accredited HMOs, 1,800 private facilities, and a ₦100 billion health insurance market, yet coordination gaps remain.
He said a portion, 13% of health insurance contributions would be reinvested into system strengthening and care subsidies for the vulnerable.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, LASHMA’s Permanent Secretary, urged a balanced approach: “We must be sensitive to economic realities—like low-income workers—while avoiding policy resistance. Incremental wins are key.”
Members of the Management Committee include top health officials and sector representatives such as Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Dr. Leke Oshunniyi, Dr. Austine Aipoh, and Mr. Femi Olapegba.
The group will meet monthly and report to the State Executive Council.
A six to nine-month public awareness campaign is set to launch, coordinated by the Ministry’s Directorate of Public Affairs. The Delivery Office, with an initial 12-month tenure, will oversee logistics and rollout.
While Phase One targets the formal sector, Phase Two will focus on the informal population of over 20 million, followed by consolidation in Phase Three.
“This isn’t just a reform, it’s a movement. Lagos is leading, and others will follow,” Prof. Abayomi declared.
