The Rising Cost of Medical Tourism in Nigeria
Nigeria’s reliance on foreign healthcare services has become a significant economic and social concern, particularly during the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to detailed analysis of data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s quarterly statistical bulletins, the country spent at least $29.29 billion on foreign medical expenses between June 2015 and May 2023. This figure represents an annual expenditure of approximately $3.6 billion over the period.
The spending falls under the “Health-Related and Social Services” category and highlights the extent to which Nigeria depends on international medical facilities. Despite repeated efforts by the administration to improve domestic healthcare infrastructure, the outflows of foreign exchange for medical purposes remained substantial throughout Buhari’s presidency.
Key Spending Patterns
The first year of Buhari’s administration saw the highest single-year expenditure on medical tourism, with Nigeria spending $7.81 billion between June 2015 and May 2016. September 2015 was particularly notable, as the country disbursed $3.20 billion in a single month — the largest monthly outflow recorded during the entire eight-year period.
This spike occurred shortly after Buhari took office and raised questions about whether it reflected deferred medical bills or a broader trend among elites seeking treatment abroad. The following year, spending dropped to $2.76 billion, but still included significant monthly outflows, such as $0.96 billion in March 2016 and $0.67 billion in April 2016.
Over time, the spending declined, reaching its lowest point in the fourth year of Buhari’s first term, when the country spent just $0.44 billion on medical services abroad. However, the second term of his presidency saw a marked increase in foreign exchange outflows, especially after the initial years.
Surge in Medical Tourism During the Second Term
During the second term, Nigeria’s medical tourism spending rose sharply, with $6.96 billion spent between June 2021 and May 2022. June 2021 alone accounted for $3.02 billion, nearly matching the record set in 2015. April 2022 saw another major jump, with $1.28 billion spent, indicating a resurgence in international travel for healthcare.
The final year of Buhari’s presidency, between June 2022 and May 2023, recorded the second-highest annual expenditure, with $7.12 billion spent. January 2023 was particularly costly, with $2.30 billion allocated to medical outflows — the third-highest monthly figure during his tenure.
In total, the second term saw $16.56 billion spent on health-related foreign exchange disbursements, compared to $12.73 billion in the first term. This shift suggests that underlying factors driving medical tourism, such as poor local healthcare infrastructure and a lack of trust in domestic medical services, remained unaddressed.
Personal Medical Trips by Former President Buhari
Buhari himself was frequently criticized for his own medical trips abroad. Over the course of his presidency, he spent at least 225 days outside the country on medical trips, visiting 40 countries. His first trip to London occurred in February 2016, followed by several more visits for various treatments.
His longest stay was in 2017, when he spent 104 days in London. Later trips in 2021 and 2022 were described as routine check-ups, but they continued to draw public attention. The former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, defended these trips, stating that Buhari had used the same medical team for over 40 years.
Criticism from Medical Associations
Medical associations in Nigeria have long criticized political leaders for their reliance on foreign healthcare while neglecting domestic medical facilities. Dr Tope Osundara, president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, expressed disappointment that leaders continue to seek treatment abroad despite budget allocations for local clinics.
Prof Bala Audu, president of the Nigerian Medical Association, echoed similar sentiments, noting that while individuals are free to choose where they receive care, the consistent preference for foreign hospitals raises concerns about priorities and the state of the healthcare system.
Conclusion
The data reveals a deep-rooted issue in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, where the reliance on foreign medical services persists despite government efforts to improve domestic infrastructure. The high levels of foreign exchange outflows for medical purposes underscore the challenges facing the country’s healthcare system and the need for sustained investment and reform.
