LASHMA named Nigeria's best state health insurance scheme

...Clinches NHEA Award 3rd time in a row

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba (4th left) receiving the NHEA State Government Health Insurance of the Year Award from the former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, during the Y2026 NHEA Award held at EKO Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, weekend.

By Admin

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has been named State Government Health Insurance of the Year 2026 at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), marking the third time the agency has received the national honour, further cementing the reputation of Lagos as a pacesetter in public health insurance.

The agency emerged winner ahead of four other state health insurance agencies at the 12th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, held at EKO Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, at a colourful ceremony that brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to celebrate outstanding achievements across Nigeria's health sector.

This year's awards, themed "Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare," recognised excellence, innovation and leadership in healthcare delivery.

Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, in his address said the awards, established in 2014, were created to honour individuals and organisations whose commitment and resilience have continued to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare system despite the challenges confronting the sector. He noted that winners were selected through an independent process involving research, public voting and rigorous evaluation, stressing that "every nomination is based on credibility."

Omolola noted that healthcare has evolved significantly over the years, with innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainable financing, partnerships and local manufacturing now playing a central role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Dr Emmanuella Zamba,
Permanent Secretary LASHMA

Presenting the award to LASHMA's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, former Lagos State Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, congratulated the agency for emerging victorious from a highly competitive field of nominees.

He urged LASHMA to build on the achievement by driving more innovations capable of accelerating the state's march towards Universal Health Coverage. He also reminded the agency that much more remains to be done to ensure every Lagos resident has access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services.

Receiving the award, the Perm Sec of LASHMA described the recognition as an affirmation of the agency's commitment to expanding access to healthcare for all residents of the state.

She dedicated the award to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders whose support, she said, has contributed to the agency's success.

Zamba thanked Lagosians for voting for LASHMA, assuring them that the agency would continue working to ensure that every resident, irrespective of socio-economic status, has access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services.

The latest honour adds to LASHMA's growing list of national recognitions. The agency first won the State Government Health Insurance of the Year Award in 2023, shared the title with Katsina State in 2025, and reclaimed it outright in 2026, underscoring its sustained leadership in advancing health insurance coverage and improving access to healthcare in Lagos.

Human capital investment key to Nigeria's economic growth -- FG

By Admin

 The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in health, education, nutrition and skills development, describing human capital as the bedrock of Nigeria's economic growth and sustainable national development.

Speaking at the Human Capital Development Summit for Northern Nigeria in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said Nigeria's greatest asset is its people. He stressed that unlocking the country's demographic dividend will require sustained investment in building a healthier, better educated and more productive population.

Pate said investment in people is every bit as important as investment in roads, power and other physical infrastructure, noting that better health, quality education and stronger skills development are essential to boosting productivity, reducing poverty and improving Nigeria's competitiveness in the global economy.

The minister highlighted key reforms being implemented under the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda that includes expanded investments in primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, health workforce development, tertiary healthcare infrastructure, domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital transformation and stronger sector governance through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).

Pate acknowledged that the country's human capital challenges are not uniform, noting that they vary across regions. Even so, he maintained that closing those gaps is essential to achieving equitable national development.

Further, he said that while the Federal Government is leading reforms across the health sector, lasting progress will depend on stronger collaboration with state and local governments. Their investments and commitment to implementation, he said, remain critical to improving health, education and broader social outcomes.

He urged subnational governments to prioritise initiatives that improve learning outcomes, strengthen primary healthcare and expand opportunities for women and young people. Such investments, he said, will help build healthier and more productive communities that can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's long-term development.

Pate reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to reforms aimed at saving lives, reducing physical and financial hardship, strengthening the nation's health system and advancing collaborative investments in human capital to improve the well-being of all Nigerians.

FG shops for ₦500bn investment to scale up National digital health system

By Admin

The Federal Government has called for an estimated ₦500 billion investment over the next five years to expand Nigeria's digital health infrastructure and fast-track the rollout of an integrated national health system.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who made the appeal while declaring open the 6th Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS 2026) in Abuja,  said Nigeria has moved beyond piloting digital health initiatives in isolated locations and is now concentrating on scaling integrated systems nationwide in its advance to Universal Health Coverage.

Salako said the National Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), already endorsed by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, provides the blueprint for harmonising health information systems, strengthening interoperability and establishing shared health records to support continuity of care, planning and evidence-based decision-making across the sector.

He noted that an assessment of the country's 79 federal tertiary hospitals recorded an average Electronic Medical Records adoption rate of 74.5 percent. Digital logistics platforms, he added, have also been deployed across all 774 local government areas to strengthen vaccine supply chain management, while states are being encouraged to adopt the National Digital Health Architecture as part of ongoing primary healthcare reforms.

Despite the gains, Salako acknowledged that major obstacles remain. These include unreliable electricity and internet connectivity in many primary healthcare centres, poor interoperability among existing legacy systems, a shortage of digital health skills and continued dependence on donor funding.

He said 43 percent of primary healthcare centres are without electricity, while about 60 per cent of rural health facilities have no internet connectivity, underscoring the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructure.

Salako urged development partners, state governments, private sector investors and technology innovators to align their investments with the National Digital Health Architecture. He appealed to the National Pension Commission and Pension Fund Administrators to view digital health infrastructure as a strategic long-term investment capable of strengthening health insurance, improving efficiency and delivering better health outcomes for Nigerians.

Salako said the Federal Government has already put in place the policy direction, standards and implementation framework needed to transform Nigeria's digital health ecosystem from fragmented initiatives into a coordinated national platform.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to working with state governments, development partners and the private sector to accelerate the adoption of secure, interoperable and sustainable digital health solutions that will strengthen the health system and improve access to quality healthcare across the country.

Enforce anti-torture law, end impunity, ASF France charges FG

By Admin

Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), also known as Lawyers Without Borders France, has called on the Federal Government to end the culture of impunity surrounding torture by fully implementing the Anti-Torture Act and ensuring justice for victims.

The appeal came on Thursday as the organisation marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, using the occasion to renew its demand for greater accountability, stronger protection for survivors and urgent measures to help them rebuild their lives.

According to ASF France, although the Anti-Torture Act was signed into law in 2017, it remains largely unenforced more than eight years later. The organisation said the continued delay has denied many survivors the protection, compensation and rehabilitation guaranteed under the legislation.

Since beginning its anti-torture work in Nigeria in 2009, ASF France said it has supported the fight against torture through legal aid, documentation, advocacy and survivor assistance. It added that more than 1,000 torture victims have received direct legal support, with many securing redress before Nigerian courts and regional human rights bodies.

While expressing concern over the slow pace of implementation, the organisation welcomed the Federal Ministry of Justice's announcement that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Anti-Torture Act have reached the gazetting stage.

ASF France described the development as encouraging but stressed that gazetting the regulations must quickly be followed by full implementation if investigations, prosecutions and support mechanisms for victims are to function effectively.

"Perpetrators of torture must be held accountable if Nigeria is to break the cycle of impunity," said Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of ASF France in Nigeria.

"Gazetting the IRR must be followed immediately with training for law enforcement, funding for rehabilitation, and visible prosecutions. Survivors cannot wait any longer for justice," she said.

The organisation urged the Federal Government to expedite the gazetting and enforcement of the Anti-Torture Act's Implementing Rules and Regulations, ensure independent investigations and prosecution of alleged perpetrators, and establish adequately funded medical, psychosocial and legal support services that are accessible to survivors.

ASF France maintained that torture is a crime under both Nigerian and international law, insisting that genuine support for survivors must go beyond legislation alone.

"Honouring survivors means moving from law on paper to justice in practice," the organisation said.

ASF France is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting human rights and expanding access to justice. In Nigeria, it implements the eRIGHTS and anti-torture programmes, providing free legal assistance to victims of torture and other human rights violations.

Tinubu unveils National Health Tech Office, appoints Obi Adigwe to lead digital overhaul

By Admin

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), a major institutional reform designed to fast-track Nigeria's transition to a digitally driven healthcare system. The president also named pharmaceutical researcher and technology expert, Dr Obi Adigwe, as the agency's pioneer National Coordinator.

A statement released by the Presidency said the new office will be domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and will serve as the country's central platform for coordinating digital health, data analytics and technology integration across the healthcare sector.

According to the Presidency, the NHTDAO is not intended to replace existing agencies or departments, rather, it will provide strategic coordination by bringing together public and private sector efforts, setting interoperability standards and driving implementation of the National Digital Health Architecture approved by the National Council on Health in November 2025.

The initiative is expected to deepen the use of technology and data in healthcare delivery, strengthen collaboration across institutions and support evidence-based policymaking in line with the Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.

 Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu expects the new office to accelerate Nigeria's transition to "a secure, interoperable and data-driven health system that improves outcomes for all citizens."

Adigwe assumes the role with extensive experience in pharmaceutical research, innovation and health technology. As Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), he led several initiatives spanning artificial intelligence, translational research and technology transfer.

His record includes coordinating a ¥300 million nanotechnology grant, overseeing the AFREXIMBank-backed establishment of Africa's first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Training Facility and leading the roadmap that secured an €18 million European Union grant, the largest awarded in Africa within the thematic area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adigwe also gained international recognition for leading what was described as the world's first scientific analysis debunking claims surrounding the controversial Covid Organics herbal preparation.

To provide strategic direction and oversight, the President approved a high-level steering committee co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf.

Other members include the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollom Daju; the President's Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy, Idris Alubankudi Saliu; National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr Abdu Mukhtar.

Others are Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina; Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri; as well as representatives of the National Information Technology Development Agency, the six geopolitical zones and industry stakeholders.

The establishment of the NHTDAO marks a significant step by the Federal Government towards modernising healthcare through digital innovation. It is also expected to improve coordination across the health sector while expanding the use of reliable health data for planning, service delivery and better patient outcomes.

Winners of 26th MILO Western Conference baskeball championship emerge

By Admin

Davidhall International College, Lagos State, and Ado Grammar School, Ekiti State, have emerged champions of the boys' and girls' categories respectively at the Western Conference of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, securing the final tickets to the national finals.

The Western Conference, which marked the fourth and final regional stage of the championship, brought the qualifying series to a close and set the stage for the national showdown. It also represented another milestone for Nigeria's longest-running secondary school basketball competition.

Ado Grammar School claimed the girls' title after a hard-fought 53–49 victory over Lanreleke Academy of Osun State. The result secured the Ekiti school's first-ever qualification for the national finals.

In the boys' category, Davidhall International College edged God's Blessings Comprehensive College of Oyo State 82–81 in a thrilling contest to lift the regional title and book its place in the championship finale.

For 26 years, the MILO Basketball Championship has provided a platform for youth development through sport, helping young people build discipline, teamwork, resilience and confidence. 

The competition's reach continues to expand. This year's edition attracted applications from more than 13,000 schools across the country, highlighting its growing impact and popularity.

Nine schools competed in each category at the Western Conference, all vying for the final available places at the national finals.

Speaking at the event, the Category Manager for MILO at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, reaffirmed the company's commitment to developing young talent through sports.

"At MILO, we believe that sport is one of the most powerful tools for shaping character and building future leaders. Through the Basketball Championship, we continue to provide young people with opportunities to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and determination, qualities that will serve them well beyond the court," he said.

Outstanding individual performances were also recognised during the competition.

Miracle Akinola of Ado Grammar School was named the Most Valuable Player in the girls' category after an impressive display in the final. Wearing jersey number 10, she scored 22 points, accounting for almost half of her team's total tally.

In the boys' category, Emmanuel Saleh of Davidhall International College earned the Most Valuable Player award. Wearing jersey number 7, he contributed 19 points in the final and played a crucial role in his team's victory.

The event drew dignitaries from the Oyo State Ministry of Education, as well as representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), the National Council on School Sport (NCSS) and FIBA.

With the conclusion of the Western Conference, the regional phase of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship has now been completed.

The earlier conferences produced champions from different parts of the country. In the Savannah Conference, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, emerged winners in the girls' category, while Family Support Programme Secondary School, Katsina State, claimed the boys' title.

 The Central Conference produced Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, and Father O'Connell Science College, Niger State, as champions in the girls' and boys' categories respectively. At the Atlantic Conference, St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, secured the regional titles.

With all regional champions now confirmed, attention turns to the National Finals of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, scheduled for July 2, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Rights violations: ECOWAS court orders FG to pay journalist ₦10m damages

By Sola Ogundipe 

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to pay ₦10 million in damages to Jide Oyekunle, a journalist, after finding that security operatives violated his fundamental rights while he was covering the nationwide End Bad Governance protests in Abuja.

The judgment, delivered on June 22, 2026, in Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/29/25, was secured by Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), also known as Lawyers Without Borders France, under its European Union-supported eRIGHTS project.

The regional court held Nigeria liable for violating Oyekunle's rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, human dignity and property following his assault, detention and the seizure of his mobile phone by police officers during the August 1, 2024 protest at Eagle Square in Abuja.

Oyekunle, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents' Chapel, was reportedly live-streaming the demonstrations when security personnel attacked and detained him.

In its ruling, the court held that the actions of the security operatives interfered with the journalist's ability to carry out his professional duties and amounted to a violation of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression.

The court also found that the assault and detention breached Articles 5 and 6 of the Charter, which protect the rights to dignity and personal liberty. It further ruled that the temporary confiscation of Oyekunle's mobile phone violated his right to property under Article 14.

According to the judgment, Nigeria failed to demonstrate that the restrictions imposed on the journalist met the necessity test required under international human rights law. As a result, the court concluded that the conduct of the security operatives was excessive and unlawful.

The ruling is being widely regarded as a significant victory for press freedom and digital rights across West Africa, particularly at a time when journalists covering protests and other matters of public interest increasingly face intimidation and restrictions.

Reacting to the judgment, ASF France's Country Director in Nigeria, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, described the decision as a major affirmation of media freedom in the digital age.

"This judgment sends a clear message that a journalist's digital tools are extensions of the modern press and newsroom, and their arbitrary confiscation by security forces is a direct assault on the public's right to know," she said.

She added that the ruling strengthens the growing body of ECOWAS Court jurisprudence aimed at protecting journalists and human rights defenders who document protests and other events of public interest.

ASF France said it would continue to monitor Nigeria's compliance with the judgment while providing legal support to journalists facing similar violations.

The organisation noted that the ruling reinforces legal protections for journalism in the digital era, discourages technology-driven censorship and intimidation, and puts security agencies on notice that targeting journalists during public demonstrations could attract accountability.

The eRIGHTS project, under which the case was pursued, is funded by the European Union and seeks to promote and protect digital rights in Nigeria through strategic litigation, advocacy and capacity building. The initiative is being implemented by ASF France in partnership with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).

Legal observers say the judgment further strengthens the ECOWAS Court's position as a critical regional mechanism for safeguarding civic space, press freedom and human rights across West Africa.