Lagos State sets December 2026 deadline for mandatory health insurance

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that all residents, workers, and employers must secure health insurance coverage by December 31, 2026. Full enforcement of the mandatory health insurance policy is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, under Executive Order EO/BOS/01/2024.

The initiative introduces the Lagos Private Health Plan (LPHP) to provide coverage for salaried employees and corporate organizations. This new framework is designed to complement the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which focuses on vulnerable residents and those in the informal sector. To support the rollout, 21 Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) have endorsed participation in the private health plans.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the policy aims to prevent financial hardship by reducing reliance on out-of-pocket medical payments. He urged employers to treat healthcare coverage as a statutory business obligation, similar to pension contributions. Additionally, the state has increased its Health Equity Fund from N1bn to N3bn to assist over 500,000 low-income residents.

Regarding emergency care, the Governor issued a directive that healthcare providers must stabilize patients in urgent need before addressing insurance or payment issues.