The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Government Health Insurance and Managed Care Agency for 2025.
EpeInsights reports that LASHMA earned top recognition for its outstanding data management practices and bold strides toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Presented by the Institute for Health Insurance and Managed Care, the award was conferred at a high-level ceremony held at the Nigeria Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, under the theme “Selecting the Best for Universal Health Coverage.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the Agency, Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr. Olatunji Rotimi, expressed appreciation for the recognition.
Rotimi reaffirmed LASHMA’s commitment to delivering equitable, affordable and quality healthcare to every Lagos resident, regardless of status.
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu who is also a former Chair of the House Committee on Health personally presented the award.
He commended LASHMA for setting a national benchmark, particularly in data-driven approaches to expanding health insurance access.
“I had no doubt Lagos would win,” Dr. Sununu said.
“Lagos has the data and any state that prioritises data in health insurance is clearly serious about UHC.”
He praised Lagos State’s resilience during major public health emergencies like Ebola and COVID-19, calling it a “shock absorber” in the national healthcare system.
Sununu encouraged LASHMA to sustain its momentum and continue setting the pace for others.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, attributed the agency’s success to the steadfast support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Zamba highlighted ongoing efforts to roll out more innovative solutions to widen health insurance enrollment and ensure inclusive healthcare access across the state.
Chairman of the awarding institute, Dr. Hope Weja, applauded both federal and state governments for investing in health insurance frameworks, stressing that the new awards were designed to spotlight institutions driving sustainable coverage for Nigerians.
Distinguished attendees at the event included; Special Assistant to the President on Health, Dr. Amman Annas; Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma (represented by Dr. Chioma Egu); and Executive Secretaries of State Social Health Insurance Agencies nationwide.
The award underscores LASHMA’s pivotal role in shaping a more resilient and inclusive health system in Lagos—and by extension, Nigeria.
