Lagos state is moving to tap into the surge of holiday arrivals and the billions spent during Nigeria’s peak festive season with two newly launched health insurance packages targeted at travellers, diasporans and returning residents.
This is even as the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) on Tuesday unveiled the Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Home Konnect plans, positioning the state to capture a share of the more than N350 billion estimated to have been spent by visitors arriving through the Lagos airport in the 2024 “Detty December” period.
The launch, held at LASHMA’s fourth-quarter Media Parley in Lagos, marks one of the state’s boldest expansions of its diaspora-focused health offerings. Officials described the products as a strategic intervention for travellers who often face medical expenses, emergencies or health uncertainties while visiting Lagos during the highly active end-of-year season.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the permanent secretary of LASHMA, said the agency designed the Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Ilera-Eko Home Konnect, in response to rising demand from diasporans and the growing need to protect residents and visitors under Lagos State’s mandatory health insurance framework.
Zamba said the introduction of the plans aligns with the spirit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, which holds in three days, and reflects the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
The permanent secretary recalled that LASHMA launched its quarterly media parleys in March 2025 to deepen transparency and improve public understanding of the Agency’s reforms, noting that the platform has since become one of the most reliable avenues for updating Lagos residents on new policies, innovations and major achievements under the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS).
Highlighting innovations previously rolled out by the Agency, she listed the Ilera-N’tiwa Cooperative, Ilera-Eko Academy, telemedicine services and the Ilera-Eko Spotlight Online Radio; Nigeria’s first health insurance radio platform. She emphasized that LASHMA continues to lead with solutions that improve enrolment uptake and strengthen service delivery for millions of Lagos residents.
On the new diaspora plans, Zamba explained that LASHMA partnered with private-sector players; Pinnacle Global Business Services, Nomad Doc Limited and Mrs. Taiwo Salvador, to market the products locally and internationally. She said the Agency’s rebranding of the diaspora package into two distinct plans would better serve travellers, diasporans and families living abroad who want sustainable health coverage for loved ones in Lagos.
The permanent secretary further assured residents that earlier policy adjustments regulating maternal and surgical services have started yielding positive results. She stressed that the changes do not in any way affect the benefit package promised under the social health insurance plan, noting that Lagos families can still access antenatal care, normal and ceasarean delivery, and surgical services once conditions are met.
In his remarks, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, described Ilera-Eko as the most affordable health package available to Lagos residents. He illustrated the cost-effectiveness of the plan, noting that a family of six could enjoy full health coverage for just about N180 to N220 per day, less than the cost of a sachet of paracetamol.
Bajulaiye urged media professionals to give the programme wide publicity, stressing that word-of-mouth promotion would also play a powerful role, adding that the health scheme had already transformed maternal outcomes in several communities, citing personal examples of women who benefitted from delivery services under the programme without the usual financial strain.
He affirmed that the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made enrolment mandatory for all residents, and encouraged Lagosians to take advantage of the opportunity. According to him, the Agency has effectively brought healthcare to the doorsteps of residents through a wide network of accredited providers spread across the state.
Mr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, the senior special assistant to the governor on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, commended Zamba and LASHMA for what he described as groundbreaking innovation in the African health insurance ecosystem. He said Nigerians across continents are celebrating the Waka-Well and Home Konnect packages, which he argued address real gaps in diaspora healthcare support.
Jermaine explained that the Waka-Well plan targets diasporans and visitors returning to Lagos during festive seasons, especially “Detty December” – ensuring they have affordable, reliable and immediate health coverage. He described Lagos as a safe, welcoming and economically vibrant destination that deserves an insurance model tailored to returning migrants and tourists.
He said the Home Konnect plan remains a lifeline for millions of Nigerians abroad who regularly send money home for healthcare but struggle with sustainability. The new plan, he emphasized, provides structured, reliable coverage for loved ones in Lagos, and eliminates the burden of unsustainable medical remittances.
Mr. Akande Ojo, CEO, Pinnacle Global Business Services LTD, praised LASHMA for its vision and reaffirmed the company’s readiness to push the diaspora plans across global markets. He noted that the growing trust in Lagos’ health reforms provides a strong base for international promotion.
Dr. Elizabeth Onifade, board chairman, Nomad Doc LTD, said the plans would significantly improve health outcomes, reduce pressure on families and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable groups in Lagos. She pledged her organisation’s full collaboration in marketing, technology integration and service support.
