Understanding Health Insurance in Lagos: LASHMA, Ilera Eko, and Your Options

Health Insurance Is No Longer Optional in Lagos

If you live or work in Lagos State, health insurance stopped being a personal choice. Under an Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, every resident, employer, and worker in Lagos is required to subscribe to a Social Health Insurance Scheme, either through the Lagos State Health Management Agency or a private HMO accredited by both the National Health Insurance Authority and the Lagos State Government. The Order is backed by the NHIA Act of 2022, which requires every state in Nigeria to establish its own State Health Insurance and Contributory Scheme. In Lagos, residents without a valid plan can be denied access to public and private healthcare facilities for non-emergency care, though life-threatening emergencies must still be treated regardless of enrolment status.

This guide breaks down how the Lagos scheme works, what LASHMA and Ilera Eko actually are, which plan applies to you, and how to register.

What LASHMA and Ilera Eko Actually Are

LASHMA, the Lagos State Health Management Agency, is the government body that runs the state's social health insurance scheme. The scheme itself is branded Ilera Eko, which translates loosely to "Lagos health." Think of LASHMA as the administrator and Ilera Eko as the product. When people in Lagos talk about registering for state health insurance, they are almost always talking about enrolling in an Ilera Eko plan through LASHMA.

Before you can enrol, you need a Lagos State Residents Registration Agency number. Under the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, holding a valid LASSRA registration is a prerequisite for signing up for any Ilera Eko plan, so if you do not already have one, that is your first step.

Which Ilera Eko Plan Applies to You

Ilera Eko is not a single, one-size-fits-all product. LASHMA runs several distinct plans built for different groups of people.

Standard Plan

This is the core plan for ordinary Lagos residents, covering primary and preventive care, specialist consultations, maternal and child health services, hospital admissions, surgery, diagnostics, physiotherapy, dental, and eye care. According to LASHMA's Head of Business Development, Rotimi Olatunji, a family of six can access full coverage under this category of plans for roughly N180 to N220 a day, which LASHMA officials have compared to the cost of a single sachet of paracetamol.

Senior Plan

Built specifically for older residents, this plan accounts for the higher likelihood of chronic conditions and more frequent specialist visits that come with age, while keeping the same core benefit structure as the standard plan.

Diaspora Plans: Waka-Well and Home Konnect

In December 2025, LASHMA rebranded and expanded its diaspora offering into two distinct products. The Waka-Well plan is built for diasporans and visitors returning to Lagos, particularly during festive periods like "Detty December." It covers common traveller illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and diarrhoea, along with diagnostics, emergency care, telemedicine, dental and eye services, and local ambulance evacuation. It costs N45,000 for a 90-day stay or N75,000 for multiple trips or an extended stay, and is aimed at tourists, returning Nigerians, charity workers, researchers, and visiting professionals.

The Home Konnect plan works differently. It lets Nigerians living abroad pay premiums directly for family members based in Lagos, replacing the common but unsustainable practice of sending irregular medical remittances home whenever a relative falls ill.

Telemedicine, school, and tertiary institution plans

LASHMA also runs dedicated plans for school pupils and tertiary institution students, alongside a 24-hour telemedicine offering that allows remote consultations without needing to physically visit a facility for every concern. Group plans are also available for associations, cooperatives, and organisations that want to enrol members together.

What Every Plan Actually Covers

Olugbenga Fadipe, LASHMA's head of medical operations, has been clear that benefit categories are largely uniform across plans, with the main differences being coverage limits and duration rather than the quality of care available. "No plan is inferior," he said. "Everyone walks the same path; some plans simply go further." In practice, this means a standard plan enrollee and a senior plan enrollee both have access to the same categories of care, including emergency services delivered through the LASHMA Elite programme in partnership with public and private ambulance providers.

How to Register

Registration is available through several channels: LASHMA's head office, registration kiosks, accredited hospitals, and online through LASHMA's digital platform. Civil servants are generally required to register offline through their employer, while members of the public can enrol digitally on their own. LASHMA has also introduced a "Pay Small, Small" initiative that allows residents to pay premiums in flexible instalments rather than as one lump sum, along with cooperative enrolment models like the Ilera N'tiwa Cooperative that bundle health coverage with additional social benefits.

If you cannot afford a plan at all, you are not automatically excluded. The Executive Order includes provisions for an Equity Fund, financed by 1% of the state's consolidated revenue, designed to cover vulnerable residents who cannot pay for a policy themselves. If you fall into this category, public healthcare facility staff can profile and refer you to LASHMA for enrolment under the Equity Fund.

Why Knowing Your Accredited Facilities Still Matters

Enrolling in Ilera Eko is only half the equation. Like every NHIA-linked insurance plan in Nigeria, your coverage is only honoured at facilities accredited under your specific plan. Visiting a hospital outside your plan's network means you may still end up paying out of pocket, even though you are technically insured.

Medicall's verified healthcare directory lets you check which hospitals and clinics in Lagos accept your specific insurance plan before you need care, so your Ilera Eko coverage actually translates into free or subsidised treatment when you walk through the door.

Find Ilera Eko accredited hospitals near you on Medicall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is health insurance compulsory for everyone in Lagos State?

Yes. Under an Executive Order by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, all residents, employers, and workers in Lagos State are required to hold a valid Social Health Insurance Plan, either through LASHMA's Ilera Eko scheme or a private HMO accredited by both the NHIA and the Lagos State Government.

What is the difference between LASHMA and Ilera Eko?

LASHMA, the Lagos State Health Management Agency, is the government body that administers Lagos State's health insurance scheme. Ilera Eko is the name of the scheme itself, encompassing all of LASHMA's individual plans, including the Standard, Senior, Diaspora, and Telemedicine offerings.

How much does Ilera Eko cost in Lagos?

According to LASHMA officials, a family of six can access full coverage under standard Ilera Eko plans for roughly N180 to N220 per day. Diaspora plans are priced separately, with the Waka-Well plan costing N45,000 for a 90-day stay or N75,000 for multiple trips or extended stays.

Do I need a LASSRA number to register for Ilera Eko?

Yes. Under the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, holding a valid Lagos State Residents Registration Agency number is a prerequisite for enrolling in any Ilera Eko plan.

Can I use Ilera Eko at any hospital in Lagos?

No. You can only access free or subsidised care at hospitals and clinics that are specifically accredited under your Ilera Eko plan. Visiting a facility outside that network means you may have to pay out of pocket, so it is worth confirming which facilities near you accept your plan before you need care.