Lagos reiterates compulsory insurance, prices Ilera Eko at N15,000
Lagos State says residents are required to have health insurance under a 2024 executive order, while its subsidised Ilera Eko plan costs N15,000 annually for an individual. The commissioner for health says the package covers several routine and hospital services, but policyholders may still pay for excluded care.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that health insurance is compulsory for residents and said its subsidised Ilera Eko scheme costs N15,000 a year for an individual. Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi said the policy was intended to broaden access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden on households. He spoke during an unannounced visit to Shomolu General Hospital while inspecting construction of a new 150-bed specialist hospital.
Abayomi said a 2024 executive order adopting the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 had made health insurance mandatory in the state. The Lagos State Health Management Agency administers the schemes through the Ministry of Health. He said uninsured residents had to pay out of pocket for hospital registration, laboratory tests, admission, medicines and other services.
Such payments, he added, could place significant pressure on families during medical emergencies. The commissioner said the subsidised Ilera Eko package cost N15,000 annually, or about N1,250 a month, for an individual. It covers doctors’ consultations, antenatal and childbirth services, malaria and fever treatment, and management of hypertension and diabetes.
The package also includes laboratory investigations, simple surgeries, specialist consultations and up to 15 days of hospitalisation each year. Abayomi attributed the lower premium to government subsidies and risk pooling, saying the unsubsidised cost would be about N100,000 per person annually. Residents seeking wider coverage can choose other insurance packages, while corporate residents may use unsubsidised private plans.
Abayomi cautioned that policyholders could still incur expenses for excluded treatments or services beyond annual limits. He urged residents to understand their plans’ terms, benefits and limitations before seeking treatment, and encouraged them to report barriers preventing enrolment or problems with their coverage.
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