The Lagos State Government has given residents, workers and employers until December 31, 2026, to obtain health insurance, warning that enforcement of the mandatory policy will begin on January 1, 2027.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the deadline on Tuesday during the launch of the enforcement campaign and the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP) initiative in Victoria Island.
The new plans are designed to provide health insurance options for salaried workers and corporate organisations, complementing the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which serves vulnerable residents and people in the informal sector.
Sanwo-Olu said the policy, introduced under Executive Order EO/BOS/01/2024, aims to expand access to healthcare and protect households from financial hardship caused by medical bills.
He urged residents and employers to use the grace period to enrol, stressing that healthcare coverage should be treated as an essential responsibility, particularly by employers providing for their workers.
The governor also said hospitals must stabilize emergency patients before addressing payment or insurance issues.
According to Sanwo-Olu, 21 health maintenance organisations have endorsed participation in the new plans, which are expected to expand coverage through a partnership between the government and private healthcare operators.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the policy would reduce reliance on out-of-pocket payments and help residents cope with rising healthcare costs.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Adebayo Adedewe, disclosed that the state had increased its Health Equity Fund from N1bn to N3bn to support vulnerable residents who cannot afford insurance premiums.
The government said it would intensify public awareness and community engagement to encourage enrolment before the deadline.
