Nigeria’s Outbound Medical Tourism Plunges as Domestic Healthcare Gains Ground

ABUJA, Nigeria (TRI) — Nigeria’s outbound medical tourism — long a drain on foreign exchange reserves as citizens sought advanced treatments abroad — experienced a dramatic slowdown in 2025, with spending crashing by over 96% amid significant strides in local healthcare infrastructure and tighter economic policies.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data revealed that expenditures on medical travel abroad dropped to just $0.09 million in the first half of 2025, compared to $2.38 million in the same period of 2024, marking a 96.2% decline. This sharp reduction reflects a broader shift, with monthly spending in 2025 rarely exceeding $0.06 million and often dipping to zero, underscoring a sustained trend rather than seasonal fluctuations.

Health experts and government officials attribute the change to enhanced domestic capabilities, which have enabled complex procedures to be performed locally, reducing the need for Nigerians to travel to countries like India, the UK, Germany, and the US for care.

Historical Context: A Billion-Dollar Outflow

For years, Nigeria has been one of Africa’s top sources of medical tourists, with an estimated $1 billion to $2 billion annually lost to overseas treatments prior to 2025. Affluent Nigerians and even government officials frequently sought care abroad for conditions ranging from cardiac surgeries and cancer treatments to fertility issues and orthopedics, citing inadequate facilities, equipment shortages, and a brain drain of skilled professionals at home.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, but it also spurred reforms. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched in late 2023, aimed to reverse this trend by revitalizing infrastructure and retaining talent. By 2025, these efforts began yielding tangible results, with projections estimating that full implementation could retain up to ₦850 billion ($500 million) previously lost to medical tourism.

Key Improvements Driving the Shift

2025 saw accelerated investments in Nigeria’s healthcare system, focusing on both primary and tertiary levels. The Federal Ministry of Health reported 84% implementation of key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Investment Compact by the third quarter.

Notable advancements included:

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Over 500 high-impact projects were initiated, including the construction or renovation of 13 tertiary health institutions and six specialized cancer centers of excellence. A nationwide program to revamp 10,000 primary healthcare centers, ongoing since 2017, gained momentum, with thousands now equipped with modern diagnostics, solar power, and essential medications. All 774 local government areas received National Health Fellows and Public Financial Management Officers to enhance accountability and service delivery.
• Technological and Specialist Advancements: Facilities like Duchess International Hospital in Lagos performed 26 open-heart surgeries in the past two years, while Nordica Fertility Centre introduced High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for fibroid and prostate treatments — the first in West Africa. The Prostate Centre adopted AI-powered HIFU and robotic surgeries, handling cases previously outsourced abroad. These developments have expanded local expertise in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, and fertility, with experts noting that Nigeria now manages most complex procedures, limited only by scale and public awareness.
• Digital and Access Initiatives: Digital health platforms connected thousands of facilities, improving data management and telemedicine. Utilization of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities surged from 10 million visits in early 2024 to 45 million by mid-2025. Skilled birth attendance rose by 33%, with over 90% of deliveries now attended by trained professionals. Vaccination programs, including the global milestone of HPV vaccine introduction, met or exceeded targets.
• Insurance and Enrollment Expansion: Nigeria surpassed its 2025 health insurance enrollment goals, reaching 2026 targets early. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) facilitated over 4,000 free caesarean sections and included emergency obstetric care in benefits. Non-communicable disease coordination mechanisms were established in 72% of states, addressing hypertension and diabetes. These measures reduced out-of-pocket expenses, making local care more affordable.
• Budgetary Boost: The federal health budget increased nearly 60%, from ₦131.5 billion in 2024 to nearly ₦299 billion allocated for 2026, raising health’s share of the national budget to 5.2%. Over 20,000 new frontline health workers were recruited, with ₦50 billion approved for arrears and allowances.

Economic policies also played a role. The Nigerian Foreign Exchange Code, introduced in January 2025, and the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System from December 2024 tightened access to foreign currency for non-essential purposes, including medical tourism, while promoting transparency.

Remaining Challenges Amid Progress

Despite these gains, Nigeria’s health sector remains fragile in parts. Chronic underfunding, rising drug costs, and structural deficiencies persist, as highlighted in reports from organizations like the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR). A 2025 survey warned of failing infrastructure in some areas, estimating ongoing losses from medical tourism if not fully addressed.

Public confidence has improved — with 55% of Nigerians expressing faith in the system’s direction and 67% believing it’s better prepared for emergencies — but experts caution that sustaining momentum requires tackling the exodus of healthcare professionals and ensuring equitable access across rural and urban divides.

Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

As Nigeria enters 2026, the slowdown in outbound medical tourism signals a potential reversal of long-standing dependencies. The government aims to further localize manufacturing of medicines and vaccines through public-private partnerships and fiscal measures like taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.

For the tourism industry, this shift could indirectly boost domestic travel, as improved healthcare might encourage more inbound medical tourism to Nigeria’s emerging facilities. However, the primary win is economic: retaining billions in forex and fostering self-reliance.

Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate emphasized at the 2025 National Health Sector Week that these reforms are “transforming lives,” with maternal deaths down 17% and newborn deaths by 12% in high-burden areas.