By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has launched ILERA EKO Spotlight, Nigeria’s first health insurance online radio station, to expand public awareness on the state’s mandatory social health insurance scheme and advance universal health coverage.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, unveiled the initiative during the agency’s 2025 Quarter 3 Media Parley held on Wednesday, October 22, at the LASHMA headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja. She said the platform would enhance continuous engagement and public education on health insurance and wellness across the state.
Dr. Zamba reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare for all Lagosians. She praised the Ministry of Information and Strategy for its ongoing support and the media for amplifying the agency’s health initiatives, especially the Executive Order mandating social health insurance for residents.
Addressing recent service disruptions, Zamba apologized to enrollees, noting that technical upgrades were underway to improve service quality and user experience.
Highlighting LASHMA’s public engagement drive, she disclosed that the agency had collaborated with veteran actor Adebayo Salami (“Oga Bello”) to produce multilingual radio dramas and skits promoting health insurance benefits. She added that ILERA EKO Spotlight would air daily from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., serving as an interactive digital hub for health education.
“The radio station is our voice to educate, inform, and connect directly with Lagosians,” she said, encouraging residents to embrace the ILERA EKO Telemedicine service for convenient virtual consultations.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, the Director of Social Media, Dr. Olajide Atansuyi, hailed the initiative as a milestone in health communication. He noted that the platform would bridge the gap between policy and the people, adding, “At the heart of every progressive society is a healthy citizenry.”
LASHMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Adeyinka Gbemibade, described the radio as an interactive medium for feedback and support, with dedicated segments for different demographic groups. She listed access points, including the website (ileraekospotlight.com), iOS app (ILERA EKO Spotlight), and social media channels (@ileraekospotlight on Instagram and @ileraspotlight on X).
Dr. Olugbenga Fadipe, Head of ILERA EKO Medical, highlighted the success of the ILERA EKO Telehealth and Virtual Booth Initiative launched in 2024, which integrates insurance enrollment with telemedicine to enhance access to healthcare in underserved areas.
LASHMA’s Technical Assistant, Dr. Nifesimi Akinnagbe, announced that full enforcement of the Executive Order on mandatory health insurance would commence in 2026, with increased Equity Fund coverage for vulnerable residents.
Adding a testimonial, Mr. Muyibi Adewale Abioun, HR Manager at OWL Transportation and Logistics, praised the ILERA EKO scheme for providing his staff with reliable healthcare access.
The event concluded with a live demonstration and symbolic launch of ILERA EKO Spotlight, marking another step toward achieving universal health coverage in Lagos State.
