Lagos Enrolls 1.3M in Health Plan to Save Moms and Babies

Imagine never having to choose between paying for your child's school fees and rushing your pregnant wife to the hospital. In Lagos, that's becoming reality for over 1.3 million families.

The Ilera Eko health insurance program is transforming healthcare access across Nigeria's largest city. Launched by the Lagos State Government, the scheme prioritizes maternal and child health, covering critical services like cesarean sections and requiring at least five months of antenatal care to catch high-risk pregnancies early.

Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, shared the program's mission at a recent workshop for journalists. "Let's stop needless deaths from hypertension, maternal complications, or emergencies where families cannot pay," she said.

The program offers multiple plans starting at just ₦10,000 annually. Families can pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly, and those in the informal sector can access support through a cooperative society. Unlike private health insurance companies focused on profit, any revenue goes straight back into expanding healthcare services.

The results speak for themselves. By late 2025, enrollment grew 27 percent annually, with women making up 53 percent of members. The age spread shows families enrolling together: 4 percent are children under five, 25 percent are school-age kids, 61 percent are working-age adults, and 10 percent are seniors.

Mr. Olatunji Rotimi, Head of Business Development at LASHMA, explained what makes Ilera Eko different. "For us, it's about service," he said. "Any revenue accrued is reinvested into the health system to expand service delivery."

The agency is reaching residents through 11 radio programs airing across Lagos, weekly shows on multiple stations, and partnerships with local government leaders and community groups. They're working directly with neighborhood gatekeepers to spread accurate information and counter misinformation on social media.

The Ripple Effect

When families stop worrying about sudden medical bills, everything else becomes possible. Parents can plan ahead, sending kids to school and building stable futures instead of watching savings disappear overnight in a health emergency.

The program's focus on maternal health means more mothers and babies surviving childbirth. Early antenatal care allows doctors to spot problems before they become life-threatening, giving families the gift every parent deserves: bringing their baby home safely.

Public servants are leading by example, registering in large numbers to show residents the program works. The government hopes their participation will inspire more families to join.

Over a million Lagos families are already sleeping better at night, knowing one health emergency won't destroy everything they've built.