By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has entered into a partnership with the Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative and Multipurpose Society Limited (ITCMS) to extend affordable health insurance coverage to artisans and informal sector workers across the state.
The partnership, established in collaboration with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA), seeks to integrate informal workers into the state’s ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme.
Speaking at the inaugural general meeting of the cooperative held at the Debt Management Office Conference Hall in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the initiative represents another step towards achieving universal access to quality healthcare in Lagos.
According to her, the cooperative offers members the flexibility to pay their health insurance premiums in instalments, while ITCMS remits the full amount upfront to LASHMA. “This model guarantees continuous access to healthcare for enrollees and their families, regardless of financial constraints,” she said.
Dr. Zamba added that beyond healthcare, ITCMS members benefit from low-interest loans, discounted food prices, referral bonuses, and raffle draws, which are designed to improve members’ welfare and promote financial inclusion.
Since its launch in December 2024, the cooperative has partnered with a microfinance bank and recorded steady growth in membership. Dr. Zamba noted that the initiative aligns with the state’s ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, using community-driven and inclusive approaches.
She observed that public awareness of health insurance had grown significantly since 2020 and disclosed that the enforcement of mandatory health insurance would begin in 2026, following sustained sensitisation campaigns.
The LASHMA boss also revealed that the agency had launched new initiatives, including an emergency services programme, a digital verification platform, and an online radio channel, to make enrolment and service delivery more seamless.
In his remarks, the President of the Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative and Multipurpose Society, Engr. Ajayi Lawrence, described the initiative as a “milestone in the pursuit of collective progress and economic empowerment” for Lagos artisans.
“The name Ilera N’Tiwa, meaning Our Well-being, captures our shared vision of unity and prosperity. This cooperative is not merely a financial platform, it is a movement to transform lives through savings, access to credit, and quality healthcare,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Femi Niyi, Managing Director of Rigo Microfinance Bank, the cooperative’s financial partner, reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to ensuring that no Lagosian is denied medical care due to financial hardship.
“Health insurance is not about expecting sickness, it’s about being prepared. Your health is your greatest wealth,” he said, commending the Lagos State Government for promoting inclusive healthcare through LASHMA’s ILERA EKO scheme.
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