Nigerians expended at least $29.29 billion on overseas medical care during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year administration, a detailed analysis of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data has revealed.
According to a report by The PUNCH, the figure translates to an average annual expenditure of $3.66 billion between June 2015 and May 2023 — the exact span of Buhari’s two-term presidency.
The data, sourced from the CBN’s quarterly statistical bulletins, was categorized under “Health-Related and Social Services” and reflects the cumulative outflow of foreign exchange for medical purposes over the period. It highlights Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign healthcare services, despite repeated promises by the Buhari-led administration to revamp the nation’s ailing health sector and curb capital flight.
Ironically, the highest single-year expenditure occurred during Buhari’s first year in office. Between June 2015 and May 2016, Nigerians spent $7.81 billion on health-related services abroad — representing more than a quarter of the total expenditure over the eight years. September 2015 alone recorded an unprecedented $3.20 billion in outflows, the highest monthly figure under Buhari.
That early spike was followed by elevated monthly disbursements in October, November, and December 2015, raising questions about whether the figures reflected a backlog of medical bills or a rush by elites to seek treatment abroad soon after the new government took office.
Subsequent years saw fluctuating but significant spending levels:
$2.76bn (June 2016–May 2017)
$1.72bn (June 2017–May 2018)
$0.44bn (June 2018–May 2019) — the lowest annual figure
$0.92bn (June 2019–May 2020)
$1.57bn (June 2020–May 2021)
$6.96bn (June 2021–May 2022)
$7.12bn (June 2022–May 2023)
Notably, June 2021 recorded $3.02 billion in outflows, while April 2022 added $1.28 billion, signaling a resurgence in medical tourism after pandemic-era travel restrictions had briefly curbed international movement.
The data shows that Buhari’s second term, once thought to be more conservative in terms of medical-related spending, ultimately surpassed the first term. In total, $16.56 billion was spent between 2019 and 2023, compared to $12.73 billion from 2015 to 2019.
Observers attribute the sustained capital flight to systemic neglect of the domestic health sector and continued preference for foreign treatment among Nigeria’s political elite — including Buhari himself.
Throughout his presidency, Buhari was widely criticized for his frequent medical trips abroad, primarily to the United Kingdom. In all, the former president is reported to have spent at least 225 days outside the country on medical trips, visiting 40 countries in total.
His first medical trip occurred just eight months into his tenure, on February 5, 2016, lasting six days. This was followed by a 10-day stay in June 2016 and a 50-day visit in January 2017. In May 2017, Buhari embarked on what became his longest medical trip — a 104-day stay in London. His final documented medical journey took place in October 2022.
Despite the criticism, former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina consistently defended Buhari’s foreign treatments, stating: “He has used the same medical team for about 40 years.” Following Buhari’s death, Adesina added: “If he had said I’d do my medicals in Nigeria just for show off or something, he could have long been dead.”
Medical professionals and civil society organizations have condemned the trend as a failure of leadership. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have all criticized political leaders for consistently neglecting the country’s healthcare system.
NARD President Dr. Tope Osundara described the situation as both “disheartening” and “an indictment” of the nation’s leadership, adding:
“It’s more like building a company, investing resources in it, then refusing to use the product and telling others to trust it. It tells you that something is fundamentally wrong with the system.”
He also recalled that despite Buhari’s public stance against medical tourism, “before he died, he was even at the forefront of going abroad for treatment.”
In support, NMA President Prof. Bala Audu noted: “While individuals have the right to seek care wherever they choose, the consistent reliance of public officials on foreign hospitals, despite budget allocations to local healthcare, reflects misplaced priorities.”
As the country grapples with persistent challenges in its healthcare system, the staggering medical tourism bill under Buhari’s watch continues to fuel debate over accountability, national planning, and the urgent need for reforms.
