The Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to achieving universal health coverage, building a world-class and technology-driven health system, declaring that “Lagos is rewriting the story of healthcare in the 21st century.”
The Governor made the declaration while addressing stakeholders at the maiden Eko Health Convention 2025, held at The Jewel Aeida, Lekki, with the theme “Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change.”
The Eko Health Convention brought together policymakers, health professionals, and development partners to review progress and chart a roadmap for future reforms.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the state’s remarkable transformation in healthcare over the last six years reflects a combination of humility and ambition. “We promised to build a health system that is accessible, affordable, and innovative. That commitment remains firm,” he said.
Speaking on the future of healthcare financing, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that mandatory health insurance remains central to achieving universal health coverage. He explained that the ILERA EKO scheme and the Executive Order signed in July 2024, making insurance mandatory for all residents, are vital to protecting Lagosians from financial hardship. “Without a shared pool of resources, universal coverage is impossible,” he said.
The Governor revealed plans to expand subsidies for vulnerable populations and enforce enrollment through community pharmacies and markets, targeting a 15 percent coverage rate in the coming years.
Highlighting milestones, he recalled the commissioning of Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry and Epe; the creation of new general hospitals in Ojo and Somolu; and the establishment of the Lagos State Mental Health Institute at Ketu-Ejirin, describing them as “deliberate investments that will redefine secondary and tertiary care for decades.”
The Governor emphasized that Lagos’ pandemic response and investments in biosecurity infrastructure have positioned the state as a regional leader in epidemic preparedness. He noted that the Mainland Hospital, the Biobank in Yaba, and the planned International Infectious Disease Research Centre were products of foresight and partnership.
“Our COVID-19 response showed that preparedness saves lives. Today, those investments are the backbone of our resilience,” he said, adding that digital tools like electronic medical records and the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) have modernized service delivery and data management across the state’s health ecosystem.
The Governor also highlighted efforts to strengthen emergency medical response and human resources for health. He announced the recruitment of over 3,000 additional staff, the creation of a dedicated paramedic cadre, and the addition of 28 new ambulances and 10 rapid-response motorbikes.
“Timely and efficient emergency care must be a right, not a privilege,” he said, noting that new ambulance points and bases have been strategically sited to improve response times and link trauma centers across the state. He added that the newly inaugurated Custodian Accident and Emergency Centre in Epe stands as a lifeline for the eastern corridor.
Sanwo-Olu concluded by outlining four key priorities for the next phase of reforms: completing ongoing flagship projects, deepening digital transformation through artificial intelligence and real-time surveillance, achieving universal health coverage, and investing in people and partnerships.
He urged citizens to take ownership of the state’s health goals, enroll in insurance, adopt healthy lifestyles, and support immunization campaigns.
“The story of Lagos is written by all of us, in our compassion, innovation, and shared resolve to make health not just a promise, but a living legacy for generations to come,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi emphasized the collective vision of transforming Lagos State’s health landscape through innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
Dr. Ogunyemi underscored the essence of the convention was not just to deliberate, but to “create real impact on the lives of Lagosians.”
She outlined the government’s key health priorities as universal access to quality healthcare, strengthened public-private partnerships, and the empowerment of citizens to take charge of their wellbeing.She stressed that the active involvement of every stakeholder, from professionals to community members, was vital to achieving a sustainable health future for the state.
The Special Adviser further noted that with a population representing over 12 percent of Nigeria’s total, Lagos carries an enormous health responsibility that demands strategic planning and inclusive participation.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, in his technical presentation titled “Bricks and Bytes: Infrastructure Transformation of Lagos Healthcare,” gave a detailed overview of the state’s comprehensive plan to modernize health facilities and digitize service delivery across Lagos.He revealed that the government’s health infrastructure blueprint was developed after a study tour to Malaysia, integrating sustainability, energy efficiency, and patient-centered design into new and ongoing projects.
According to Abayomi, the state’s flagship projects including the New Massey Children’s Hospital, the Iba-Ojo General Hospital, the Lagos State Mental Health Institute, and the Comprehensive Cancer Institute, represent “game-changing investments” designed to deliver world-class, climate-resilient healthcare.He noted that these facilities were built to accommodate future population growth and withstand environmental pressures while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
On digital innovation, the Commissioner announced the phased deployment of the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), which connects public health facilities through electronic medical records, telemedicine, and real-time data analytics.
“Data is the new currency,” he said, explaining that the integration of SHIP will enable efficient management of patient care and improve health outcomes through evidence-based policy.
Abayomi further disclosed plans for the establishment of a University of Medicine and Health Sciences to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, as well as LASMISO; the Lagos State Medical Industries and Innovation Centre to promote biomedical manufacturing and research within the state.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, Team Lead of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), commended the Lagos State Government for its visionary leadership and impactful reforms in the health sector.
He hinted that Lagos would soon serve as a pilot site for an ambitious federal initiative that provides pregnant women with Mama Kits, free caesarean sections in 21 obstetric centres, and emergency transportation for women in labour.
Dr. Adeyanju reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support Lagos in developing a comprehensive roadmap to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. “No woman should die while giving life, and every child born in Lagos must live beyond five years,” he said, pledging closer collaboration between federal and state actors in safeguarding maternal and child health.