Healthcare in Nigeria for expats
How the healthcare system works for a foreign resident — whether you can use public care, how good it is, and what private cover actually costs. Information current as of 2026; verify current rules before relying on it.
System
Mostly private
Public care is limited or citizen-gated, so foreign residents rely on private hospitals and their own insurance.
Care quality
Private cover
$60–180/mo
Healthy adult, 30–45. Get a quote.
Public access for foreign residents
The National Health Insurance Authority scheme is mandatory in law for all residents but in practice reaches a small share of the population; foreign residents almost always take a private HMO plan or international cover and use private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja.
Official source →What works well
Lagos and Abuja have a growing tier of private hospitals and diagnostic centres (Reddington, Lagoon, Cedarcrest) with foreign-trained specialists, and local HMO plans are inexpensive for routine care.
What to watch out for
Public facilities are severely under-resourced and complex care is routinely flown to Europe, India or South Africa — so international cover with evacuation, rather than a local HMO plan alone, is the standard expatriate purchase.
Healthcare eligibility, costs, and system rules change and vary by residency status, nationality, region, and age. This is directional information current as of 2026 — not medical or insurance advice. Confirm your access eligibility with the official source and get a private quote for your own situation before relying on either.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Healthcare in Nigeria: FAQ
Can I use public healthcare in Nigeria as an expat?
The National Health Insurance Authority scheme is mandatory in law for all residents but in practice reaches a small share of the population; foreign residents almost always take a private HMO plan or international cover and use private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja.
How much does private health insurance cost in Nigeria?
For a healthy adult aged 30–45, comprehensive local or international cover in Nigeria typically runs about $60–180 per month. Premiums rise with age, pre-existing conditions, and plan breadth — treat this as a starting band and get a personalised quote for your situation.
What is the healthcare quality like in Nigeria?
Nigeria's healthcare rates as "Uneven" by international measures. Lagos and Abuja have a growing tier of private hospitals and diagnostic centres (Reddington, Lagoon, Cedarcrest) with foreign-trained specialists, and local HMO plans are inexpensive for routine care.
What should expats watch out for with healthcare in Nigeria?
Public facilities are severely under-resourced and complex care is routinely flown to Europe, India or South Africa — so international cover with evacuation, rather than a local HMO plan alone, is the standard expatriate purchase.
What type of healthcare system does Nigeria have?
Nigeria runs a "Mostly private" healthcare model. Public care is limited or citizen-gated, so foreign residents rely on private hospitals and their own insurance.