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The short answer
Ilera Eko is the Lagos State Health Scheme, run by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA). You enrol on the LASHMA website, choosing a plan and a provider and paying the annual premium, after first getting a LASRRA (Lagos resident) number. As at the July 2024 executive order, premiums ranged from ₦5,000 a year for the Higher Institution individual plan to ₦8,500 for the Standard individual plan and ₦40,000 for a Standard family; check LASHMA for current prices.
Why Lagos residents are being asked to enrol
A Lagos State executive order effective 16 July 2024, summarised by KPMG, requires every Lagos resident to hold a valid social health insurance plan. It draws on the Lagos State Health Scheme Law 2015 and the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022. Residents without cover are expected to register or renew before using public or private health facilities, and ministries, departments and agencies may ask for proof before giving some services. Life-threatening emergencies must still be treated first, with proof of registration provided after the patient is stabilised.
You can meet the requirement through Ilera Eko or through an HMO accredited by both NHIA and the Lagos State Government. If you already have HMO cover through work, you can generally keep it.
Before you start: the LASRRA number
KPMG notes that a Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) number is required before enrolling in Ilera Eko. Sterling Bank's guide to LASRRA describes self-service pre-registration online to get a registration number, followed by biometric capture at a LASRRA office with one government ID (driver's licence, national ID, passport or voter's card); a walk-in route at a LASRRA office is also available. Our guide to LASRRA registration walks through it.
How to register on Ilera Eko
- Get your LASRRA number.
- Go to the LASHMA website and choose a plan.
- Update your personal details and select a provider (the hospital or clinic where you will receive primary care).
- Review the information.
- Pay the premium through the payment option shown.
- Keep your enrolment details and proof of payment; you will need them at the facility.
People who cannot afford a premium may be covered through the Equity Fund. Public facilities profile eligible people and refer them to LASHMA, according to the KPMG summary. The Lagos law lists groups such as pregnant women, children under five, the elderly, people with disabilities and the poor.
Premiums as at July 2024
These are annual premiums published with the 2024 executive order. They may have changed; the LASHMA website shows the current price when you choose a plan.
| Plan | Individual (₦) | Family (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Institution | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| Standard (general public) | 8,500 | 40,000 |
| Standard Plus | 15,000 | 70,000 |
| Standard Cash Back | 9,000 | 18,000 |
| Seniors Couples | 34,000 | 65,000 |
| Diaspora | 71,190 | 353,490 |
Family cover is for the principal, one spouse and four children; extra members cost more. Other plans named include Senior and Telemedicine, without prices in the summary.
Worked example
Example only, using the 2024 prices. Ngozi, her husband and two children could take one Standard family plan at ₦40,000 a year, or four Standard individual plans at 4 x ₦8,500 = ₦34,000. The individual route is ₦6,000 cheaper for a family of four, but the family plan would cover up to four children, so a third or fourth child would cost nothing extra on it. Check current prices and what each plan covers before choosing; see also healthcare costs in Lagos.
Ilera Eko or a private HMO?
Both satisfy the Lagos requirement if the HMO is accredited by NHIA and the state. The difference is mainly price, choice of facility and the extent of cover. Ilera Eko's Standard plans are priced for the general public, while private HMO plans range widely and are often bought by employers. Compare like with like: the list of facilities, whether specialist referrals and admissions are included, limits on drugs and tests, and how claims and approvals work.
- Ilera Eko
- State scheme run by LASHMA; published premiums; enrol on the LASHMA website after LASRRA registration; Equity Fund for those who cannot pay.
- Accredited HMO
- Private plans, often through work; prices and benefits set by the HMO; must be accredited by NHIA and Lagos State to meet the order.
Using your cover at a facility
When you visit your chosen provider, take your enrolment details and an ID. Primary care is normally given at the facility you selected, with referral to secondary care where needed. If you are unhappy with your chosen facility, ask LASHMA how and when you can change provider. Keep receipts for anything you pay out of pocket, because some services may sit outside your plan. Our guide to what NHIA cover includes explains the national framework that state schemes sit within.
What to check first
- What the plan covers and excludes, and any co-payments.
- Which facilities are on the plan near your home or work.
- Whether your employer already provides cover.
- When cover starts after payment, so you are not caught out.
- How to renew before the year ends.
Facilities themselves must be registered with HEFAMAA; see registering a clinic or hospital.
Where Pryme fits
You can save toward the annual premium in a Savings Box, and your Personal Assistant can prepare a renewal reminder; nothing is paid without your approval.
Questions people ask
How much is Ilera Eko per year?
As at the July 2024 executive order, the Standard individual plan was ₦8,500 a year and the Standard family plan ₦40,000, with other plans from ₦5,000 to ₦353,490. Check LASHMA for current prices.
How do I register for Ilera Eko?
Get a LASRRA number, then on the LASHMA website choose a plan, update your details, select a provider, review and pay.
Is health insurance compulsory in Lagos?
A Lagos executive order effective 16 July 2024 requires all residents to hold social health insurance, through Ilera Eko or an accredited HMO.
Can I use my company HMO instead of Ilera Eko?
KPMG's summary says existing HMO holders can generally keep their providers, if the HMO is accredited by NHIA and Lagos State.
Sources
- KPMG Nigeria: Lagos State executive order on health insurance subscription (Aug 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
- Sterling Bank: LASRRA registration (Nov 2023) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.