The Lagos State Government has set December 31, 2026, as the deadline for residents to obtain health insurance, warning that enforcement of the compulsory coverage policy will begin on January 1, 2027.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the deadline on Tuesday while launching the enforcement of mandatory health insurance under Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sanwo-Olu also introduced the Lagos Private Health Plans to provide insurance coverage for salaried employees and corporate organisations.

The new plans are expected to complement the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which caters to vulnerable residents and people working in the informal sector.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu gave every resident until 31 December 2026 to obtain insurance cover, with enforcement commencing on 1 January 2027,” the statement said.

Speaking at an event in Victoria Island attended by government officials, healthcare professionals and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, the governor said the policy was designed to ensure that all Lagos residents could access quality medical services without facing financial difficulties.

He explained that the executive order was not merely intended to compel enrolment but to guarantee wider access to healthcare through insurance coverage.

“The ultimate objective of the Executive Order went beyond enforcement. It was to ensure that every Lagos resident was covered by health insurance and could access quality healthcare services without suffering financial hardship,” he said.

The statement added that individuals, employers and workers were all required to participate in the social health insurance system, with the executive order outlining specific responsibilities for residents, businesses and the government.

He explained that while Ilera Eko was designed for vulnerable groups and informal-sector workers, the newly introduced private health plans would cater to salaried employees and employers.

The governor also urged employers to treat workers’ healthcare as an essential business expense, just like pension contributions and other statutory employment obligations.

On emergency treatment, Sanwo-Olu stressed that healthcare providers must not deny patients urgent medical attention because they lacked money or insurance coverage. He said patients must first be stabilised before payment or insurance issues were considered.

He disclosed that 21 health maintenance organisations had agreed to participate in the new plans, describing the arrangement as a collaboration between the government and private-sector operators to widen insurance coverage and improve healthcare delivery.

Sanwo-Olu also appealed to medical professionals considering leaving Nigeria to reconsider, arguing that improved healthcare financing could help strengthen the sector and create a more sustainable environment for practitioners.

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the rising cost of healthcare had been driven partly by advances in medical technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics and modern diagnostic equipment.

He emphasised the need for an inclusive and sustainable health insurance system to shield residents from escalating medical bills while ensuring access to quality services.

Abayomi described the initiative as a significant change in healthcare financing, noting that the heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments placed considerable pressure on households and healthcare facilities.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, Dr Adebayo Adedewe, disclosed that the state government had raised its Health Equity Fund from N1bn to N3bn to extend insurance coverage to more than 500,000 vulnerable residents unable to afford the required premiums.

He said the agency would continue to increase enrolment, intensify public awareness and ensure that the policy translated into accessible healthcare services across the state.

Adedewe added that LASHMA had expanded its community engagement efforts through radio campaigns, billboards, digital advocacy and partnerships with traditional rulers, market associations, transport unions and other grassroots organisations.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign in Kaduna State has shamed the president’s critics.

Onanuga said the campaign had exposed what he termed “bad belle” opposition leaders who were against Tinubu.

Posting on X, Onanuga said the campaign showed that critics were wrong in saying Tinubu isn’t accepted anywhere in the North.

He wrote: “Unforgettable moments from the start of the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna.

“The show of support bothers the ‘bad belle’ ADC opposition leaders, who spread the false idea that President Tinubu wouldn’t be welcome in any part of northern Nigeria.

“Kaduna put them to shame. Thanks, Governor Uba Sani, for the colorful show.

The APC campaign in Kaduna over the weekend received mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Some Nigerians claimed the people in the crowd at the campaign event were paid to be there.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has launched a fresh attack on the presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Shettima, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, said Atiku and Obi lacked the capacity to manage Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking specifically about fuel subsidy, Shettima said Nigeria had served as “Father Christmas” to other African countries during the petrol subsidy era.

According to him, the disparity between fuel prices in Nigeria and those in other African countries, including Benin Republic, Niger and Cameroon, was significant during the subsidy era.

“The comparison is wide. Nigeria was Father Christmas for other African countries,” he said.

Shettima argued that Atiku’s proposal on fuel subsidy showed that he lacked the skills required to govern Nigeria’s economy.

“So he doesn’t have the skill set to govern a modern economy. That’s a painful truth,” he said.

Speaking about Peter Obi, Shettima said the former Anambra State governor focused on statistics but had little to offer beyond them.

“I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say he’s not going to restore the petrol subsidy, but beyond spouting some statistics, Mr Peter Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” he said.

The Kebbi State Head of Service, Malami Shekare, has warned civil servants against habitual lateness, threatening disciplinary action against workers who fail to observe official working hours.

Shekare issued the warning on Monday during a monitoring exercise at the state secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, where he inspected workers’ arrival times alongside some permanent secretaries.

He expressed displeasure over the failure of some workers, including senior officers, to report to work at the stipulated time.

The Head of Service said punctuality was a basic obligation for all public servants, regardless of rank or position.

He warned that the government would not tolerate indiscipline that undermined productivity and effective service delivery.

Shekare urged workers to comply with official working hours and public service regulations, stressing that no officer would be exempt from disciplinary action because of seniority or position.

Victor Osimhen has celebrated Galatasaray’s hard-earned derby victory over Fenerbahçe,

Okan Buruk’s side defeated Fenerbahçe 2-1 in a thrilling intercontinental derby at the RAMS Park on Monday night.

Osimhen was the hero for the defending champions, grabbing a brace in the first half to help them secure an important victory.

Fenerbahçe reduced the deficit through İrfan Kahveci in the second half, but the hosts held firm to win the game.

Osimhen reckoned the win is crucial to Galatasaray’s title ambition.

“Winning derbies is crucial for becoming champions. We managed to win this big derby and get three points. We are happy because of the team, the performance, and the fans,” Osimhen told the club’s official website.

The 27-year-old has so far registered seven goals and three assists in eight appearances across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds this season.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has praised security agencies in Abia State for their collaboration in crime fighting and maintenance of peace in Abia State.

He stated this on Monday at Owerrinta, Abia State during the commissioning of internal roads and operational facilities at Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance.

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele, the Chief of the Naval Staff also thanked the Abia State government for its support to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.

Abbas pointed out that the collaboration between the Navy and the State government was vital to operational efficiency of Navy personnel serving in the State.

He stressed the importance of adequate security arrangements to protect the proposed Azumini Seaport project in Ukwa East LGA of Abia.

Abbas urged the College management to maintain the facilities and charged personnel to uphold discipline, accountability and integrity, adding that resources entrusted to the Navy belonged to the Nigerian people and must be managed responsibly.

In his speech , Governor Alex Otti appreciated the Nigerian Navy for its contributions to education, healthcare and community development, and expressed hope that the Navy would expand its educational activities in the state to include secondary and vocational institutions.

He stressed that investment in human capital equips the young people and reduces their involvement in criminal activities.