How does healthcare work in Nigeria, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the health and healthcare system work in Nigeria?

• Nigeria's health care system continues to face infrastructure problems, staff shortages and limited resources. 
• Nigeria has its own universal health care system, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Unfortunately, healthcare is vastly underfunded, and government money is often focused more on urban areas. The Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Program (FSSHIP) is part of this. As an expat, you can participate in this provided you are a legal resident, by paying an annual fee. 
• Life expectancy is not very high (around 55/56 years), which is also an indication of the quality of care. 
• Not all medicines are available in Nigeria. So make sure you bring enough medicines yourself when needed. 
• Call 199 for emergency (medical) services, but do not expect the same help as in the West. 

How does the public healthcare system work in Nigeria?

• The government operates public health facilities. These facilities focus mainly on basic care. 
• Public health care is mainly used by locals and actually little by emigrants. 
• Care is cheap and even free if you are a member of the NHIS, but quality is often poor, resources are limited, and there are long waiting times and infrastructure problems.
• Also, hospitals are often unhygienic and overcrowded, causing many people to get sick and even die from diseases contracted in the hospital. 
• Unfortunately, salaries for medical staff are also not good, sometimes leading to strikes. 

How does the private healthcare system work in Nigeria?

• Private clinics and hospitals offer higher quality care and are widely used by expatriates. Still, even this care may not be of the quality you want or expect.
• Healthcare costs are significantly higher than in public hospitals, but you have better facilities, shorter waiting times and better trained medical staff. 
• It is important to have good private health insurance that also covers medical evacuation. 

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Nigeria?

• General practitioners can be found in private clinics, where consultations are easy to arrange and inexpensive. 

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Nigeria?

• Most comprehensive dental care can be found in private clinics. Public clinics offer limited services. 
• Dental care in private clinics is usually of good quality. You will find most options in Lagos. 
• In coordination with your international insurance, you can look for a good dentist who can provide you with appropriate care. 

How is pregnancy and maternity care arranged in Nigeria?

• Prenatal care is available, but the quality varies greatly between public and private institutions. 
• There are many problems surrounding pregnancies in Nigeria. Maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria is relatively high and many children live malnourished and in poverty.
• So as a foreigner, it is best to go to a private hospital and seek advice from other expats. 

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Nigeria?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Nigeria?

• Although many expats live in Nigeria, there are still considerable security risks. So it is important to take this into account when immigrating to Nigeria. 
• Security concerns for expats range from kidnapping to simple theft. 
• Many expatriates live in protected communities. 
• There is a risk of attacks in Nigeria. 
• The government may impose curfews and other restrictions. Always be aware of these, as breaking these restrictions can lead to arrest. 
• Be aware of local culture and rules, such as during Ramadan. 

What should you look out for in terms of safety in Nigeria?

• Living in Nigeria means that you may also suffer from tropical diseases. Consider Malaria, typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. 
• Malaria is a major risk. The advice is to sleep under a treated mosquito net and wear clothes that protect against mosquitoes. 
• Diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis are also still common. 
• Do not drink tap water and know that diarrhea is common among new residents! 

What should you pay attention to in terms of traffic in Nigeria?

• Many accidents take place on the roads in Nigeria. 
• Thus, driving a car can be quite dangerous. Roads are bad, standards are low and cars are often unsafe. 
• Also, roads can be very busy, especially in Lagos. So make sure you always have plenty of water with you. 
• Car hijackings occur, sometimes with weapons. 
• Avoid driving in the dark as much as possible, keep windows and doors locked and make sure you don't have possessions in plain sight. 
• There are legitimate and non-legitimate checkpoints in Nigeria. Always remain calm at such roadblocks. 

What are the best insurance options for backpacking, traveling, doing an internship, studying, volunteering, or working in Nigeria?

• Is the trip to Nigeria and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity?
• Insurance for backpacking and traveling in Nigeria
• Insurance for studying in Nigeria
• Insurance for internships in Nigeria
• Insurance for volunteering in Nigeria
• Insurance for digital nomads or paid work in Nigeria

What types of insurance should you get if you're planning to emigrate, work as an expat, or live in Nigeria?

• Although insurance is only mandatory for permanent residents, as an expat it is still wise to take out international insurance to cover the cost of care and possibly medical evacuation. 
• International health insurance for Nigeria
• International travel insurance for Nigeria
• International life insurance for Nigeria
• International income protection insurance for Nigeria