Nigeria’s reliance on overseas medical treatment is rapidly declining, according to new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data. Between January and June 2025, medical tourism spending fell 96.2% year-on-year, dropping from $2.38 million in the first half of 2024 to just $0.09 million over the same period in 2025.
The sharp $2.29 million contraction marks one of the steepest declines in outbound healthcare expenditure in recent years.
CBN figures show that while 2024 had erratic spikes in spending, 2025 remained consistently low, with no month exceeding $0.06 million, indicating a sustained shift in patient behaviour rather than a temporary dip.
Experts attribute the dramatic decline not only to economic constraints and foreign exchange policies but also to Nigeria’s strengthening domestic healthcare system. Investments in infrastructure, specialist training, and advanced medical technologies have enabled local hospitals to perform procedures previously exclusive to overseas facilities.
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- Duchess International Hospital, Lagos: Successfully performed 26 open-heart surgeries in its first two years.
- Nordica Fertility Centre: Introduced High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for fibroid treatment, reducing the need for travel abroad.
- The Prostate Centre (TPC): Offers AI-powered HIFU therapy, robotic surgeries, and incision-free procedures rivalling international standards.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a UK-based urological surgeon, emphasises that Nigeria now has expertise matching global standards, with the remaining challenge being scale and awareness.
Economic and policy measures have further discouraged unnecessary medical tourism. The Nigerian Foreign Exchange Code and the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System, introduced in late 2024 and early 2025 tightened discretionary FX access, making overseas medical travel costlier and less feasible.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso warned that past practices enabling privileged FX access had harmed market integrity and stressed that they must not return.
Beyond policy, patient testimonials underscore growing trust in Nigerian facilities. Nigerians now receive world-class care locally, often at a fraction of overseas costs. Cardiac, oncological, orthopaedic, fertility, and neurological procedures are increasingly handled in-country, reducing the incentive for medical tourism.
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The steep drop in medical tourism spending may signal a historic shift: what was once seen as a necessity – travelling abroad for treatment – is now increasingly avoidable. With continued investment, training, and technology adoption, Nigeria’s healthcare system is proving that world-class treatment is not only possible locally but also more accessible and affordable.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
