LASHMA Deepens Health Insurance Inclusion for Informal Sector Workers Through Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative
In its drive to expand affordable health insurance coverage to more residents, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has intensified efforts to promote financial inclusion among informal sector workers through the Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative and Multipurpose Society Limited (ITCMS).
Speaking at the inaugural general meeting of ITCMS, held on Wednesday at the Debt Management Office Conference Hall, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the cooperative was established in partnership with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA). The initiative, she explained, is part of the state government’s efforts to integrate informal sector workers into the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme — Ilera Eko.
Dr. Zamba noted that the cooperative allows artisans and other informal sector members to pay their health insurance premiums in installments, while the cooperative remits the full premium upfront to LASHMA. This arrangement, she said, ensures uninterrupted access to quality healthcare services for enrollees and their families throughout the year.
Beyond healthcare, members of ITCMS will also benefit from several welfare incentives, including access to low-interest loans, discounted food prices through agricultural partnerships, referral bonuses, and raffle draws. These measures, according to Dr. Zamba, are designed to improve members’ quality of life while fostering financial discipline and social inclusion.
She further disclosed that the cooperative, which has partnered with a microfinance bank, has recorded steady membership growth since its official inauguration in December 2024. The initiative, she added, aligns with the state’s broader vision of achieving universal health coverage by 2030 through innovative and community-driven mechanisms.
Dr. Zamba emphasized that LASHMA’s mandate supports Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s health insurance agenda, noting that enforcement of mandatory health insurance would commence in 2026 following sustained sensitization and community engagement.
In his remarks, the President of the Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative and Multipurpose Society, Engr. Ajayi Lawrence, described the event as a milestone in advancing collective progress and economic empowerment for artisans and informal sector workers across Lagos.
He outlined the cooperative’s four core objectives: promoting a savings culture, providing accessible financial support to members, investing in joint ventures for sustainable wealth creation, and upholding transparency and accountability in all operations.
Engr. Lawrence urged residents to join hands in “building a system that uplifts families, supports entrepreneurs, and drives community growth.”
