By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has been named Nigeria’s State Government Health Insurance of the Year for 2026 at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), marking its second consecutive win and third recognition in four years.
LASHMA received the award during the 12th edition of the NHEA held at EKO Hotel and Suites in Lagos, where organisers said the recognition followed a competitive selection process involving research, public voting and evaluation by an independent advisory board.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, said the awards, established in 2014, recognise excellence, leadership and innovation in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
He said this year’s awards honoured individuals and institutions that had strengthened healthcare delivery despite persistent challenges facing the country’s health system.
Omolola said the selection process was based on credibility and independent assessment rather than individual discretion. He added that the 2026 theme, “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare,” reflected the growing role of technology, artificial intelligence, local production and sustainable financing in improving healthcare delivery.
Presenting the award to LASHMA Permanent Secretary Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, former Lagos State Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Femi Olugbile urged the agency to build on the recognition by expanding innovations that would accelerate the state’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He said the agency should continue working to ensure Lagos residents have access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services.
Accepting the award, Zamba thanked the organisers for recognising the agency’s work in expanding health insurance coverage. She also acknowledged the support of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders.
She also thanked Lagos residents who voted during the selection process and pledged that the agency would continue efforts to provide affordable and equitable healthcare services regardless of residents’ socio-economic status.
The latest recognition follows LASHMA’s earlier State Government Health Insurance of the Year award in 2023. The agency shared the honour with Katsina State in 2025 before reclaiming the title outright in 2026.