What is Ilera Eko? Lagos State's health scheme: who can join, what it covers, what it costs

Who runs Ilera Eko, and is it compulsory?

Ilera Eko is run by LASHMA, the agency created by the Lagos State Health Scheme Law No. 4 of 2015, which the governor assented to on 25 May 2015.

The 2015 Law says the scheme is compulsory and applies to all residents of the state not covered by an existing health scheme, and that residents in the formal and informal sectors must have evidence of cover. It defines vulnerable groups to include pregnant women, children under five, the aged, the disabled and the poor, and funds an Equity Fund of not less than 1% of the state's Consolidated Revenue.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed an executive order on 16 July 2024 making social health insurance mandatory for all residents of Lagos State, whatever their state of origin or nationality, a state official said in August 2026.

In October 2026 the governor gave residents until 31 December 2026 to obtain cover, with enforcement under Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024 starting on 1 January 2027. He also launched Lagos Private Health Plans for salaried workers and companies, while Ilera Eko continues to serve vulnerable residents and the informal sector.

How much does Ilera Eko cost?

In August 2026 the standard Ilera Eko premium was ₦15,000 for an individual, ₦55,000 for a family of four and ₦80,000 for a family of six, according to the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy.

LASHMA's head of business development said in August 2026 that Ilera Eko has different packages for different groups of residents, and the News Agency of Nigeria reported that one caters for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking health cover for relatives in Lagos, with varying premiums. Residents who cannot afford the premium are assessed for cover through the state's equity fund, which the state increased from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion to reach more than 500,000 vulnerable residents.

• Standard Ilera Eko Plan: from ₦15,000 per person a year (LASHMA, August 2026).
• Standard Ilera Eko Plus Plan: ₦40,000 per person a year (LASHMA, August 2026).
• Seniors Plan, for residents aged 60 and above: ₦60,000 a year for an individual or ₦100,000 for a couple, with enhanced specialist access, physiotherapy and routine checks (LASHMA, August 2026).
• Lagos State public servants: the government pays 75% of the annual premium and the worker 25% (LASHMA, August 2026).

What does Ilera Eko cover?

Ilera Eko covers consultations, specialist care, dental and eye care, selected surgeries, treatment of common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid, management of hypertension and diabetes, emergency services, childhood healthcare, medical tests and prescribed drugs, according to the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy in August 2026.

LASHMA reported 1,502,994 enrolees by May 2026, with children under five and people above 60 together making up about 11% of the total. By the end of the first quarter of 2026 enrolees had made at least 1.2 million hospital visits, including nearly 40,000 admissions and 4,833 surgeries.

For emergencies, the LASHMA-AID programme, launched in December 2025, pays for up to 48 hours of in-facility emergency stabilisation for enrolees and vulnerable residents, at both empanelled and non-empanelled facilities, according to LASHMA's chairman.

Is there a waiting period before Ilera Eko can be used?

Yes: from 1 January 2026 new Ilera Eko enrolees in the general public category serve a one-month waiting period, and elective non-emergency surgery carries a four-month waiting period, LASHMA said in November 2025.

Pregnant women must be enrolled for at least five months, with proof of antenatal attendance, before using delivery services. Emergency care, including emergency caesarean sections and urgent surgery, is exempt from waiting periods, and the rules do not apply to residents funded by the equity fund or to public servants.

In June 2026 LASHMA's permanent secretary said the waiting time cannot be shortened, for value and sustainability reasons, and LASHMA said it would introduce further changes from 1 August 2026 to discourage people from enrolling only shortly before costly treatment, and that these were not a premium increase.

How does Ilera Eko compare with NHIA cover and a private plan?

Ilera Eko is a state scheme priced for individuals and families, while the NHIA's Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme is tied to employment and a private HMO plan is priced by each HMO.

How do you register, pay and complain?

Residents can enrol online through LASHMA's official platform, at LASHMA offices and kiosks, or through accredited agents, LASHMA said in August 2026.

LASHMA operates a zero-cash policy: premiums are paid only into the Lagos State Health Fund (LASHEF), for example by POS at LASHMA headquarters in Alausa, divisional offices or kiosks, and the agency has said payment into an agent's personal account is fraudulent. Enrolees are activated on the 26th of each month after a payment cut-off on the 25th.

Complaints go to LASHMA's 24-hour lines, 0800-ILERAEKO (0800-45372356) and 0800-ASKLASHMA (0800-275527462), or WhatsApp on 07045358275 and 07046160051, as published in March 2025.

Separately from any health scheme, Kinship Visits are care visits at home in Lagos by qualified nurses.

• Compare the Ilera Eko packages, such as Standard, Plus and Seniors
• Ask LASHMA about the diaspora package if paying from abroad
• Enrol through the official platform, a LASHMA office, kiosk or accredited agent
• Pay only into the Lagos State Health Fund, never a personal account
• Quote the policy number and name when paying
• Note the activation date and the waiting period end date
• Find out which hospital or clinic the person is registered with
• Save the LASHMA complaint lines in your phone

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