ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerians spent 52 percent less on medical treatment abroad under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to a new report from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The report, which analyzed foreign exchange allocations for medical services, revealed that overseas medical spending dropped sharply from 9.3 million Dollars in 2023 to 4.4 million Dollars in 2024. The CBN attributed the decline to tighter foreign exchange policies and the federal government’s push to strengthen domestic healthcare delivery.
Analysts say the fall in medical tourism could signal a shift in Nigerians’ healthcare behavior — or a reflection of the worsening economic conditions that have made foreign medical travel unaffordable for many.
President Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s healthcare system, pledging to reduce dependence on foreign hospitals by investing in local medical infrastructure.
Reacting to the report, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the development as a “positive outcome of ongoing health sector reforms.”
“We’re improving hospital standards, investing in medical equipment, and building confidence in our doctors,” Pate said. “Our goal is to make Nigeria a destination for quality healthcare.”
However, critics argue that the decline may have more to do with foreign exchange scarcity than with genuine improvements in the health sector.
Dr. Funmilayo Omole, a public health expert, said many patients still prefer treatment abroad but are unable to access dollars at official or parallel market rates.
“This isn’t necessarily a sign that healthcare is better,” Omole said. “It’s about affordability. People can’t pay for what they used to.”
The Senate Committee on Health urged the government to capitalize on the trend by channeling more funds into hospital infrastructure, research, and health worker training.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the CBN report but warned that “reducing medical tourism must come from quality improvement, not economic hardship.”
In his reaction, President Tinubu said the government remains committed to ending medical tourism by building “world-class hospitals that meet international standards.”
“We must restore confidence in our local healthcare system,” Tinubu said. “Every Nigerian deserves treatment at home, not abroad.”
The report comes as Nigeria faces growing pressure to reform its healthcare financing, improve staff welfare, and curb the exodus of medical professionals seeking better opportunities overseas.
