Rhodes-Vivour and Sanwo-Olu collide over new Lagos health insurance scheme
On Wednesday, April 2, the debate over Lagos State’s new health insurance scheme heated up as former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, clashed with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Sanwo-Olu recently signed an Executive Order that makes it mandatory for all residents of Lagos State, regardless of income, to participate in the Social Health Insurance Scheme. The governor believes that the scheme will provide universal health coverage and improve access to quality healthcare for everyone in the state.
However, many Lagosians are concerned. Some say the flat-rate contribution of N15,000 per person annually is too much for low-income earners, fearing it will only add to their financial struggles. Others are worried about the timing of the scheme, questioning whether the state’s healthcare infrastructure is ready to handle the increased demand.
Rhodes-Vivour has voiced his concerns, suggesting alternative ideas. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he explained that the N15,000 contribution would be too burdensome for minimum wage earners, who would be required to spend almost 20% of their income just to pay the premium. He recommended a fairer approach, proposing a 5% monthly income contribution based on earnings, which would be more equitable for everyone.
“This flat-rate approach reveals a fundamental disconnect from the economic realities facing most Lagosians. For minimum wage earners, this N15,000 contribution represents nearly 20% of their income—an unsustainable burden that will push many further into economic hardship,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
Rhodes-Vivour also stressed the need to improve Lagos’ healthcare infrastructure before rolling out the scheme. He pointed out that Lagos is currently short of 30,000 doctors, and suggested that the government should invest more in healthcare and adopt the 2014 Abuja Declaration, which recommends that 15% of the state budget should go to healthcare. He noted that in 2024, only 6.75% of Lagos’ budget was allocated to healthcare.
In response, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile, clarified that the N15,000 contribution is an annual, not monthly, payment. He also pointed out that the scheme is required by the National Health Insurance Act of 2022, and emphasized that it is designed to make healthcare more accessible for all residents. Akosile mentioned that an equity fund has been set up to support vulnerable residents, and the state is investing in healthcare infrastructure, including new hospitals and the creation of a Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences to address the shortage of healthcare professionals.
“The social health insurance plan of Lagos State has an ANNUAL premium of N15,000 only per individual and NOT MONTHLY as stated by you,” Akosile said, adding that the scheme will cover a wide range of services to meet the health needs of the state.
