International health insurance for expatriates in Nigeria

For anyone planning to move to Nigeria for professional or personal reasons, taking out international health insurance is the most reliable way to protect their health and that of their family.

In particular, it offers:

• Cover valid in Nigeria, in your home country and worldwide
• Access to high-quality private healthcare facilities
• Reduced waiting times
• Insurance cover tailored to each individual’s specific needs.

International health insurance may also include an emergency repatriation option to ensure access to better care in the event of a serious medical situation.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about health insurance for expats in Nigeria, the best options available, what to consider before you leave, and our top health advice.

Key points to know about healthcare in Nigeria

• In Nigeria, international health insurance offers better cover for healthcare abroad than travel insurance or the limited cover provided by a credit card.
• The healthcare system in Nigeria faces significant challenges, particularly due to underfunding and the exodus of many healthcare professionals from the country.
• Nigeria’s health statistics are among the lowest in Africa.
• Private healthcare facilities provide the majority of medical services in the country.
• The best hospitals in Nigeria are Nizamiye Hospital, Reddington Hospital, and Duchess International Hospital.
• Depending on the plan you choose, medical expenses can be covered from as little as 1 euro, with worldwide cover whilst travelling or returning to your home country.
• Expatriates and the wealthiest residents often choose to seek treatment abroad for specialised medical care.
• Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of malaria cases in the world, with an estimated 68 million cases each year.

This type of solution is suitable for various groups of people, particularly expatriates who wish to supplement their social protection or social security cover as part of their plans in Nigeria, if applicable.

Understanding the Nigerian healthcare system

The healthcare system in Nigeria is organised between the federal government and the states, involving both public and private sector providers. The federal government primarily manages tertiary care, whilst the states are mainly responsible for primary and secondary care.

However, as mentioned earlier, the healthcare sector continues to face several challenges, including insufficient funding, medical facilities and equipment that is in some cases outdated, and a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. To give you an idea, the country currently has 1 doctor for every 2,500 inhabitants, compared with the WHO’s recommended ratio of 1 doctor for every 600 residents.

As a result, expatriates who choose to live in Nigeria and wealthy Nigerians tend to turn mainly to private hospitals and clinics, which offer a higher standard of medical care.

It should be noted that there is a significant disparity in access to healthcare, with some regions, particularly in the north of the country, being disadvantaged.

The main health cover options available in Nigeria for expatriates

The country has a limited health insurance system. In Nigeria, which stretches along the Gulf of Guinea, disparities in the quality of care are evident between Abuja, the major cities and certain more remote areas. According to available figures, only 9.1% of Nigerians are insured under the National Health Insurance Authority, with the majority of the population paying their healthcare costs directly; under this system, expats often have to pay medical costs up front if they do not have international health insurance.

Private international health insurance: the number one solution for expats in Nigeria

Faced with the challenges of the Nigerian healthcare system, many expats take out private international health insurance. Depending on the nature of your stay and your relocation plans, there are several levels of cover available, and travel insurance or local health insurance are not always sufficient for an expatriate living abroad.

At Global Health, we specialise in healthcare cover for expatriates. Our customisable health plans are designed to meet the needs of expatriates, digital nomads and anyone on the move. Our team, aware of the challenges of living abroad, has developed insurance designed to:

• Protect you and your family,
• Ensure that health issues do not become an additional burden during your time abroad.

Here are the key benefits of our international health insurance:

• Online consultations and second medical opinions
• 5 fully customisable levels of cover
• 100% digital management
• Multilingual assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Expertise and a network of local centres to help you find a doctor and receive treatment in Nigeria
• Repatriation option in the event of an emergency
• Complementary wellbeing programmes, including a fitness programme and mental coaching sessions

Our health advice for expats in Nigeria

• Plan your cover in advance: take out international health insurance before you leave to cover all your potential medical costs and travel with peace of mind (at least when it comes to your health!)
• Keep your vaccination schedule up to date: ensure your vaccinations are up to date, particularly against yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, chikungunya and dengue fever. For children under 15, vaccination against tuberculosis may also be recommended. Discuss this with your doctor before you leave;
• Protect yourself against insects: just a few days in Nigeria are enough to notice the large number of insects, particularly mosquitoes. Bring skin repellents, as well as mosquito nets for your accommodation and mosquito-repellent products.