Sanwo-Olu health insurance reform makes coverage mandatory in Lagos, ensuring universal access and financial protection for all residents

Sanwo-Olu health insurance initiative has taken a decisive step forward as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed an Executive Order making health insurance mandatory for all residents.

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The governor made the announcement during the Eko Health Convention 2025, held at Jewel Aeida, Lekki, themed “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change.”

Represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said the policy aligns with the National Health Insurance Act, ensuring that every Lagosian contributes according to their means while enjoying protection during medical emergencies.

“When we launched the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme in February 2021, we made it clear that universal coverage requires a reliable and inclusive system,” the governor said.

“Without a shared pool of resources, universal healthcare is impossible. When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu noted that effective insurance coverage must be supported by an efficient emergency response framework. Through the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), he said, the government has enhanced medical response with rapid systems capable of saving lives.

“These measures reaffirm our conviction that emergency care must be a right, not a privilege,” he said.

He disclosed that Lagos now has 360 public health facilities and more than 3,500 private ones, forming a unified network that ensures residents’ access to quality medical care.

The governor urged health stakeholders to invest in innovation and technology while encouraging citizens to embrace health insurance and take responsibility for their wellbeing.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted milestones under his administration’s THEMES development agenda, which prioritises health and environment.

These include the construction of new Maternal and Child Centres, the expansion of General Hospitals, and landmark projects such as 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, described the Lagos Health Blueprint as a transformative plan to make the state “Africa’s health powerhouse.”

He revealed that Lagos loses around $1.5 billion annually to medical tourism, a figure higher than the state’s health budget, but said the new strategy aims to reverse that trend.

The blueprint includes climate-resilient hospitals, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, and the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science.

It also features the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) a digital system linking public hospitals and primary healthcare centres for real-time data and policy insight.

“Our goal is clear,” Abayomi said. “Lagos must become the health capital of sub-Saharan Africa not just for Nigerians, but for the entire continent.”

Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, emphasised that Public-Private Partnerships are key to achieving the state’s goal of affordable, sustainable healthcare.

“Our vision is to empower citizens to take full control of their health and wellbeing,” she said. “Government cannot do it alone; we must all work together to make healthcare accessible for every Lagosian.”

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The Sanwo-Olu health insurance mandate marks a pivotal moment in Lagos’ journey towards universal health coverage, setting a model for other states to emulate.