Nigeria’s spending on medical treatment abroad has dropped sharply, showing a major shift in how Nigerians access healthcare.
Gatekeepers News reports that data from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows that medical tourism spending fell by 96.2 percent in the first half of 2025. The figure declined from about $2.38 million recorded between January and June 2024 to roughly $0.09 million during the same period in 2025.
The data indicates that most of the spending in 2024 happened in January, when a large amount was recorded, before dropping sharply in the following months. In contrast, spending in 2025 remained very low across all six months, with no significant increase at any point.
Analysts say the decline is linked to both economic conditions and changes in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Tighter access to foreign exchange and rising travel costs have made overseas medical care more difficult for many Nigerians. However, experts also point to growing confidence in local hospitals as a key factor behind the shift.
In recent years, Nigeria has seen increased investment in private and public healthcare facilities, specialist training, and modern medical equipment. Several hospitals in major cities now offer advanced treatments such as open-heart surgery, cancer care, fertility treatment, and minimally invasive procedures that were previously sought abroad.
According to health professionals, more patients are choosing local options because they are cheaper, easier to access, and increasingly reliable. Some specialised centres have also begun attracting patients from other African countries, reversing the long-standing trend of outbound medical travel.
Foreign exchange reforms introduced by CBN have also played a role. The new policies reduced discretionary access to foreign currency for non-essential spending, making overseas medical trips harder to fund. The apex bank has maintained that such reforms are necessary to protect the naira and restore confidence in the FX market.
With local healthcare capacity continuing to improve, experts believe the sharp drop in medical tourism spending reflects a lasting change rather than a temporary slowdown. The latest figures suggest that more Nigerians now see quality medical care at home as a realistic and dependable option.
