The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over the growing economic losses Africa suffers due to outbound medical tourism, estimating that the continent loses about $10 billion annually, with Nigeria accounting for $2 billion of that figure.
NMA President, Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, made the disclosure at the association’s Healthcare and Medical Expo in Abuja, themed “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa.”
Prof. Audu lamented that while developed countries continue to recruit doctors trained and practising in Nigeria, many political elites still travel abroad for medical treatment — even for procedures and services available locally. He attributed this trend partly to a lack of awareness and trust in the Nigerian health system.
He, however, clarified that the political elite’s preference for foreign healthcare does not necessarily mean those services are unavailable in Nigeria, but rather reflects challenges in health financing, infrastructure, and perception.
> “To achieve global-standard healthcare, Nigeria must invest in its health sector and create an enabling environment for sustainable medical practice,” Audu said.
Delivering a keynote address, the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, said reversing medical tourism would be impossible without strategic investment in knowledge production, research, and medical education. He emphasized that Nigeria’s medical education already commands global respect, but requires more investment in faculty development and modern training to retain talent.
Olowolafe added that while brain drain has weakened the local health system, it also demonstrates the high quality of Nigerian medical training, urging the government and private sector to scale up investments that would retain skilled professionals.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, noted that medical tourism costs Nigeria over 30% of its annual budget equivalent, describing it as a major economic and foreign exchange drain.
Dr. Salako commended the NMA for championing the dialogue and revealed that the Tinubu administration is implementing policies aimed at strengthening local medical services and attracting inbound medical travel to Nigeria.
He emphasized the need for Africa to evolve from being a consumer of foreign medical solutions to becoming a producer of healthcare innovations, through partnerships between universities, professional associations, and private investors.
