LASHMA Wins Nigeria’s Best State Health Insurance Agency Award for the Third Time, Reinforces Commitment to Universal Health Coverage
LASHMA Wins Nigeria’s Best State Health Insurance Agency Award for the Third Time, Reinforces Commitment to Universal Health Coverage
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has once again demonstrated its leadership in Nigeria’s healthcare financing sector by emerging as the State Government Health Insurance Agency of the Year at the 2026 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), securing the prestigious honour for the third time.
The award, presented during the 12th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, recognises LASHMA’s outstanding contributions to expanding access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare through innovative health insurance programmes.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Agency, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of LASHMA’s sustained commitment to ensuring that every resident of Lagos State can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
She dedicated the award to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Local Government Chairmen, development partners, healthcare providers, philanthropists, stakeholders and the people of Lagos for their continued support and confidence in the Agency.
Dr. Zamba also expressed appreciation to members of the public who voted for LASHMA, assuring residents that the Agency would continue to introduce innovative initiatives aimed at expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening healthcare financing and accelerating the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the State.
Dr Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary, LASHMA
Presenting the award, former Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, congratulated LASHMA for emerging victorious among five nominees, describing the Agency’s achievement as a reflection of its exceptional performance and dedication to improving healthcare access in Lagos State.
He urged the Agency to sustain the momentum by developing more innovative strategies that would increase enrolment in health insurance schemes and ensure that more residents enjoy affordable, quality healthcare services.
Earlier, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, explained that the awards were established to celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding contributions within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare,” he noted that technological innovation, strategic partnerships, local manufacturing, artificial intelligence and sustainable healthcare financing remain critical to building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the country’s growing health needs.
Dr. Omolola added that winners emerged through an independent process involving extensive research, public voting and rigorous assessment by the Advisory Board, ensuring that only organisations with demonstrable impact and measurable performance received recognition.
LASHMA’s latest achievement further strengthens its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading public health insurance agencies. The Agency first won the State Government Health Insurance of the Year Award in 2023, shared the honour with Katsina State in 2025, and has now reclaimed the title outright in 2026.
The recognition underscores Lagos State’s sustained investment in healthcare reforms and reinforces LASHMA’s pivotal role in driving equitable healthcare access and advancing the goal of Universal Health Coverage for all residents.