The Lagos State Government has flagged off the enforcement of Executive Order EO/BOS/01/2024, introducing the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP) to expand health insurance coverage to salaried workers and corporate organisations.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that residents and employers have until December 31, 2026, to secure coverage, as formal enforcement of the mandatory health insurance policy kicks off on January 1, 2027.
The new private sector arrangement complements the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which primarily targets vulnerable residents and workers in the informal sector. To drive the initiative, 21 Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) have partnered with the state government to expand access across corporate establishments.
To protect vulnerable residents unable to afford premiums on their own, the state government tripled its Health Equity Fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, covering over 500,000 citizens.
In addition, the state government instituted a strict directive for healthcare providers across the metropolis, warning that no hospital is permitted to turn away patients requiring emergency care due to financial constraints. Under the policy, medical facilities must stabilize patients before demanding payment or insurance verification.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that employee healthcare remains a mandatory employer responsibility comparable to pension obligations, noting that the systemic upgrade aims to safeguard household finances against unexpected medical emergencies.
