The Federal Government of Nigeria is facing renewed criticism following a sharp rise in foreign exchange (FX) outflows for medical travel, which climbed to $549.29 million in the first nine months of 2025, a 17.96 per cent increase from $465.67 million recorded during the same period in 2024.
Data obtained from the Q3 2025 statistical bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria show a steady quarterly increase in health-related travel spending. Nigerians accessed $151.53 million in Q1 2025, $189.41 million in Q2, and $208.35 million in Q3, underscoring sustained demand for treatment abroad.
By comparison, figures for the corresponding quarters in 2024 stood at $142.95 million, $153.67 million, and $169.04 million, respectively.
The FX allowance, granted by the apex bank for medical travel, is tracked as outflow, though the CBN does not monitor how the funds are ultimately spent.
Health analysts and industry leaders say the rising figures contradict repeated government assurances to curb medical tourism and strengthen local healthcare systems.
In August 2023, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, pledged to prioritise health security and reduce outbound medical travel. By April 2025, he disclosed that Nigeria loses about $2 billion annually to medical tourism and emphasised the need to build “health sovereignty.”
Earlier in February, the minister had pointed to what he described as increasing inbound medical visits to Nigeria, including from countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. However, the latest FX data suggest outward travel remains strong.
The issue gained heightened public attention recently after author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie alleged medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son at a Lagos hospital while arrangements were being made for treatment in the United States.
Former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo, attributed the spike in medical travel to worsening conditions in public health facilities, citing prolonged strikes, drug shortages, and alleged corruption.
He pointed to the 84-day strike by health workers as a major disruption to the healthcare value chain, affecting surgeries, diagnostics, and drug procurement.
Akintayo also criticised the management of drug supply systems, alleging misapplication of funds and weak oversight. He referenced prior statements by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which identified health-sector agencies among the most corruption-prone.
According to him, shortages of critical medicines including cardiovascular drugs, anti-diabetic agents, antibiotics, anti-cancer therapies, and anti-malarials are pushing patients abroad.
President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Bala Audu, said most Nigerians seeking FX for treatment likely suffer from chronic and advanced conditions, particularly cancers.
He noted that while Nigerian doctors are globally competitive, gaps in equipment, reagents, and diagnostic infrastructure limit treatment capacity locally.
“Sometimes you have the equipment, but you don’t have the reagents. In some cases, even major laboratories send tests abroad because facilities here cannot handle them,” he said.
Audu also decried poor funding of the health sector, revealing that out of a N218 billion capital allocation in the 2025 budget, only N36 million had reportedly been released.
Former NMA President Prof. Mike Ogirima described medical tourism as a drain on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, warning that sustained FX outflows could weaken the country’s external position and its ability to transact internationally.
He cited under-equipped public hospitals, lack of life-support infrastructure, and the broader “Japa” migration wave as contributing factors to the rising trend.
The growing FX demand for healthcare comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the naira and rebuild Nigeria’s external reserves.
With medical travel spending continuing to rise despite official pledges, analysts say meaningful reform in funding, governance, and infrastructure will be critical if the country hopes to reverse the tide of outbound medical tourism and retain healthcare spending within its borders.
Source: Punchng