Employers, workers, and residents in Lagos State now have until December 31, 2026, to sign up for health insurance ahead of the full enforcement of mandatory coverage commencing on January 1, 2027.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the timeline at the launch of the Lagos Private Health Plan Partnership, introduced under Executive Order EO/BOS/01/2024 alongside 21 accredited Health Maintenance Organisations.
Designed to complement the existing Ilera Eko scheme -which caters to vulnerable populations and informal workers -the new plan provides structured health insurance options specifically for corporate organizations and formal-sector employees.
An Implementation Steering Committee and an Enforcement Task Force have been set up to drive voluntary compliance across the state, with the goal of expanding overall health insurance coverage from two million to at least ten million residents.
To cushion financial hardships, state allocations to the Lagos State Health Equity Fund have been raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion to cover 500,000 vulnerable residents. The government is also partnering with Sterling Bank to roll out a digital registration platform for corporate employers.
Healthcare leaders have commended the initiative, noting that reliable insurer payouts, efficient digital onboarding, and transparent regulations will significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenses across Lagos.
