By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has been named the 2026 State Government Health Insurance Agency of the Year at the 12th Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), securing the prestigious honour for the third time in recognition of its outstanding health insurance service delivery.
The award was presented on Friday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Agency, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the recognition as a reflection of the Agency’s commitment to providing affordable, quality and equitable healthcare for all Lagos residents through sustainable health insurance.
She thanked the organisers for recognising LASHMA’s contributions to healthcare financing in Nigeria and dedicated the award to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Local Government Chairmen, development partners, philanthropists, stakeholders and residents of the state for their continued support.
Dr. Zamba also expressed appreciation to members of the public who voted for LASHMA, assuring them that the Agency would continue to introduce innovative initiatives aimed at expanding health insurance coverage and ensuring that all residents, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
Presenting the award, former Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, congratulated LASHMA for emerging winner among five nominees, describing the achievement as evidence of the Agency’s exceptional performance in Nigeria’s health insurance sector.
He urged the Agency to sustain its momentum by developing more innovative strategies to accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and expand access to quality healthcare for more Lagos residents.
Earlier, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, said the awards, established in 2014, were created to recognise excellence, leadership and outstanding performance across Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Speaking on the theme, “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare,” Omolola said the future of healthcare depends on innovation, strategic partnerships, artificial intelligence, local manufacturing and sustainable financing, describing them as essential pillars for a resilient healthcare system.
He explained that winners emerged through an independent process involving research, public voting and rigorous evaluation by the Advisory Board, adding that all nominations were based on credibility and measurable performance.
Omolola commended all nominees for their contributions to healthcare delivery despite prevailing challenges and encouraged them to remain committed to excellence.
The latest recognition further strengthens LASHMA’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading public health insurance agencies. The Agency previously won the State Government Health Insurance Agency of the Year award in 2023, shared the honour with Katsina State in 2025, and reclaimed the title outright in 2026.
The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards remain one of the country’s foremost platforms for recognising institutions and professionals whose innovations and outstanding service continue to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes nationwide.Copyright TRUSTAFRICA NEWS.
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