Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has escalated his administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by announcing an Executive Order that makes health insurance mandatory for all residents of the state.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, made the declaration at the maiden edition of the 2025 Eko Health Convention, themed “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change,” organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the Executive Order, signed in July 2024, aligns with the National Health Insurance Act.
He asserted that mandatory health insurance is essential for establishing a shared pool of resources, which is the only way to achieve UHC.
“When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all,” the governor stated, referencing the launch of the ‘Ilera Eko’ health insurance scheme in February 2021.
The governor emphasised that the success of the health insurance scheme must be supported by a robust emergency response system.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to strengthen the emergency medical system, a key component of the Lagos Emergency Medical Blueprint.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos currently boasts 360 public and over 3,500 private health facilities, all working within a unified ecosystem.
He called on health stakeholders to invest in innovation, expand corporate social responsibility, and use technology to create a healthcare system where access is determined by need, not income.
He reiterated that health is a core pillar of his administration’s THEMES agenda, underscoring major achievements such as the commissioning of new Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry, and Epe, as well as the ongoing construction of major facilities including the New Massey Street Specialist Children’s Hospital and the Lagos State Mental Health Institute.
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In his address, the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, unveiled the state’s new health blueprint, aimed at transforming Lagos into “Africa’s powerhouse” for healthcare.
Abayomi revealed that Lagos loses approximately $1.5 billion annually to outbound medical tourism—an amount surpassing the state’s health budget.
The new transformation blueprint is designed to build world-class facilities, expand insurance, and reduce dependency on foreign medical care.
Key components of the blueprint include modern general hospitals, climate-resilient hospital designs, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, the establishment of the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science, and the implementation of a Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) for digital data sharing across public hospitals.
“Our goal is clear. Lagos must become the health capital of Sub-Saharan Africa, not just for Nigerians, but for the continent,” Abayomi declared, adding that the plan aims to position Lagos as a hub for medical tourism and innovation.
Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, underscored the importance of Public Private Partnership (PPP), stating that collaboration is vital to ensuring quality and affordable healthcare for all Lagos residents.
She stressed the administration’s commitment to empowering citizens to take control of their health and wellness.
