Lagos State has launched two new health insurance plans aimed at giving diasporans and festive-season visitors more affordable and reliable medical coverage, particularly during the high-traffic “Detty December” period.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, announced the plans on Tuesday during the agency’s fourth-quarter media parley.
Zamba said the rollout represents a significant expansion of the state’s ILERA EKO diaspora offerings, strengthening health financing and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The new offerings — Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Ilera-Eko Home Konnect — were created in response to growing demand from Nigerians abroad and the need to safeguard both residents and short-term visitors under the state’s mandatory health insurance framework.
She described the launch as timely, aligning with the spirit of UHC Day and reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare. LASHMA partnered with private-sector players including Pinnacle Global Business Services, Nomad Doc Ltd., and Mrs. Taiwo Salvador to market the products locally and internationally.
According to Zamba, splitting the former diaspora package into two targeted plans will better address the needs of travellers, families abroad and Lagos-based beneficiaries. She also said earlier policy adjustments to maternal and surgical services are already yielding positive outcomes without altering the benefits promised under the social health insurance scheme.
At the event, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, described ILERA EKO as the most affordable health scheme available to Lagos residents. He noted that a family of six can access full coverage for roughly N180 to N220 per day. He highlighted improved maternal outcomes across several communities, citing women who delivered safely under the programme without financial strain.
Also speaking, Mr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, praised the initiative as a “groundbreaking innovation” in Africa’s health insurance landscape. He said the Waka-Well plan specifically targets diasporans and returning visitors during peak holiday periods, ensuring immediate, accessible and budget-friendly coverage.
Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as a safe and economically vibrant destination that requires an insurance model tailored to its growing diaspora and tourist populations. He added that the Home Konnect plan serves as a reliable alternative for Nigerians abroad who frequently send money home for healthcare but struggle with the sustainability of such remittances.
LASHMA’s Head of Business Development, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji, explained that the Waka-Well plan covers common travel-related ailments such as malaria, typhoid and diarrhoea. It also includes diagnostics, emergency care, telemedicine, dental and eye services, and local ambulance evacuation.
The plan costs N45,000 for a 90-day stay and N75,000 for multiple entries or extended visits. He noted that more than 550,000 Nigerians arrived through the Lagos airport by mid-November 2024, spending over N350 billion during the festive season.
