The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority has provided free health insurance coverage to 1,320 residents across the three senatorial districts of Lagos.
The one-year insurance plan was delivered under the ILERA EKO initiative, in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency. It covers 360 individual beneficiaries and 240 families. Each family plan includes up to four members, accounting for 960 people, and bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 1,320.
Speaking at the programme’s launch, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Are, emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving residents’ wellbeing through targeted interventions.
He noted that the enrolment exercise took place simultaneously over the weekend at designated centres in Lagos Central, Lagos East, and Lagos West. Locations included a local council area in Lagos Central, the Ikorodu Local Government Office in Lagos East, and the Agege Youth Centre in Lagos West.
According to Are, the agency fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance subscriptions for one year, describing the effort as a “first-of-its-kind intervention.” He also expressed hope that the programme would be sustained and expanded in the future.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary and CEO of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, outlined the broad range of healthcare services included in the package. She encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the scheme and assured them of quality care at accredited hospitals across the state.
Other officials, including the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on lottery matters and the Deputy Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, praised the initiative as a people-focused programme aligned with the government’s healthcare goals.
In addition to enrolment, beneficiaries received free basic health screenings such as blood pressure checks and fasting blood sugar tests, highlighting the programme’s preventive healthcare approach.
Organisers said the initiative reflects the state government’s ongoing commitment to achieving universal health coverage and improving residents’ quality of life through sustainable healthcare partnerships.
The programme comes amid rising healthcare costs and renewed efforts by the Lagos government to expand access to affordable medical services through ILERA EKO. The scheme is designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve access to quality care in both public and private health facilities accredited by LASHMA.
