LAGOS, Nigeria Outstanding students across Lagos State have emerged winners in the ILERA EKO Essay Competition, a key highlight of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) 2026 first quarter media parley.
The competition, which drew over 150 entries in each student category and 11 entries in the youth/undergraduate category, recorded a total of 731 submissions, out of which 500 met the criteria and were assessed, with 12 winners emerging overall.
In the Primary category also called the Little Health Champions, Dominic Williams of Abina Somolu Nursery and Primary School clinched first place with a score of 34.5, followed by Oluwatoyin Omolabake Akingbemisile of Abesan Primary School, Ipaja, while David Mary of Salvation Army Primary School, Ayobo, came third.
For the Junior Secondary category also called the Young UHC Advocates, Ojurongbe Adam Ramadan of Stadium Junior Grammar School emerged overall winner with a top score of 40. Abimbola Iyinoluwa Deborah of Surulere Community Junior Secondary School, Alagbado, placed second, while Olasunkanmi Oluwafikayomi Boluwatife of Ilupeju Junior Secondary School finished third.
In the Senior Secondary category also called the Future Health Leaders, Falabi Nusirat Adebimpe of Imoye Senior High School took the top position, while Ajisafe Treasure Oluwasemilore of Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School and Aminu Mutari Ndah of Agboju Senior Secondary School came second and third respectively.
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Among undergraduates and youths, Oluola Ruth Eniola of Lagos State College of Nursing, Igando, emerged overall winner, followed by Oni Esther Ireoluwa of Lagos State University College of Medicine, while Timileyin Kazeem of Lagos State University placed third.
All winners were presented with cash prizes and formally decorated as ILERA EKO Advocates, a role that positions them as ambassadors of health insurance awareness within their communities.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the essay competition as part of a broader strategy to instill health consciousness among young people and promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She noted that the initiative targeted students across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as youths across Lagos State, with the aim of increasing awareness about the importance of health insurance and encouraging young people to contribute solutions to healthcare challenges.
According to her, “this initiative reflects growing awareness among young people and reinforces our vision of nurturing a generation that values health insurance and personal well-being.”
She urged the winners to take up their new roles seriously, adding that they have now become advocates responsible for spreading the ILERA EKO message across their schools and communities.
Beyond the awards, the media parley served as a platform for LASHMA to outline key developments in the state’s health insurance drive.
Dr. Zamba disclosed that the Lagos State Government has intensified enforcement of its mandatory health insurance policy following the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
She revealed that enforcement has already commenced across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), leading to increased enrolment among public servants.
She also confirmed that the Agency has completed its first compliance assessment of MDAs, noting that agencies with public interface can now verify residents’ enrolment status through their digital platforms.
The next phase of enforcement, she added, will focus on healthcare providers, ensuring compliance and improved service delivery across the system.
Highlighting the role of the media, Zamba said the Agency trained 72 journalists in two batches in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), describing the initiative as critical to strengthening public awareness.
She emphasized that the media remains central to informing and educating the public, correcting misinformation, and driving acceptance of health insurance.
In addition, he said LASHMA has expanded its engagement across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to deepen grassroots participation.
In response to economic realities, she noted that the Agency has introduced innovative payment options to make health insurance more accessible.
Zamba announced the rollout of “ILERA EKO EasyPay,” a wallet-based platform that allows residents to pay their premiums in instalments under the existing “Pay Small Small” initiative.
The platform, she said, is designed to reduce financial barriers and support low- and middle-income earners, especially those in the informal sector.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Zamba stressed that Lagos State remains focused on achieving Universal Health Coverage by ensuring that residents can access quality healthcare without financial hardship.
She described the quarterly media parley as part of LASHMA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration, adding that it also provides an avenue to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders.
The ILERA EKO Essay Competition, she noted, is not just about rewarding excellence but about building a culture where young people understand the value of health insurance early in life.
At the end of the event, she promised all winners and their parents a one year free health insurance with ILERA EKO.
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Also speaking, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nifemi Akinnagbe, said facility readiness assessments were ongoing across public and private hospitals.
“When you walk into a facility, you should be asked if you have ILERA EKO. If not, you should be enrolled before you leave. That is the direction we are going,” he said, adding that vulnerable residents would be covered under the state’s equity fund.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaye, underscored the importance of early engagement.
“Anything you want sustained, you must teach the children. When they buy into it, the message spreads naturally,” he said.
Also, a representative of the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, commended the initiative, noting that innovation can emerge from any field.
“Irrespective of your field, you can provide solutions. The creativity of these young people is commendable,” he said.
Similarly, a representative of the International Society of Media in Public Health, Mrs. Peace Michael, said strengthening journalists’ capacity would enhance public understanding of health insurance and drive enrolment.