LASHMA named Nigeria's best state health insurance scheme

...Clinches NHEA Award for 3rd time 

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.