Nigeria: health and care

How much is Nigeria spending on health in 2026?

Nigeria's 2026 federal budget proposal allocated ₦1,010.23 billion for recurrent spending and ₦1,225.10 billion for capital spending at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, according to the 2026 Appropriation Bill. A further ₦245.14 billion was set aside for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

The ministry's budget covers federal teaching hospitals, medical centres and national programmes. Most primary health care is run by states and local governments, which have their own budgets. The figures are from the bill as proposed; the amounts passed into law may differ.

Official sources: Budget Office: 2026 Appropriation Bill (PDF)

How many Lassa fever cases are there in Nigeria in 2026?

Nigeria recorded 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 268 deaths in weeks 1 to 40 of 2026, a case fatality rate of 23.6%, according to the NCDC situation report for the week of 28 September to 4 October 2026. There were 8,414 suspected cases across 24 states and 119 local government areas. In the same period of 2025 there were 924 confirmed cases and 172 deaths, a fatality rate of 18.6%.

Lassa fever is spread mainly by contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rats. Cases usually peak in the dry season, from December to April. The NCDC publishes a new report each week.

Official sources: NCDC: Lassa fever situation report, week 40 2026 (PDF)

How many doctors are there in Nigeria?

55,019 doctors were registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in 2022, up from 38,959 in 2021 and 29,070 in 2020, according to the NBS 2023 Social Statistics Report, the most recent NBS figures.

Registration counts include doctors who hold a licence, so they can include doctors who have moved abroad or are not practising. The council itself publishes registration and licensing information. Dividing by the population gives a rough doctor-to-population ratio, but doctors are concentrated in cities and in the south, so access differs widely between states.

Official sources: NBS: 2023 Social Statistics Report

How many malaria cases does Nigeria have?

Nigeria's health facilities reported 23,774,979 confirmed cases of uncomplicated malaria in 2022, according to the NBS 2023 Social Statistics Report. Deaths recorded from severe malaria were 8,983 in 2022, up from 518 in 2021 and 273 in 2020.

These figures come from the routine health information system, so they count only cases and deaths recorded at reporting facilities. Many cases are treated at home or in private clinics that do not report, and changes in reporting coverage affect year-on-year comparisons. The World Health Organization's World Malaria Report publishes modelled estimates for Nigeria that are much higher.

Official sources: NBS: 2023 Social Statistics Report

What share of Nigerian women get antenatal care?

63% of Nigerian women with a recent birth received antenatal care from a skilled provider, according to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey reported in the NBS Demographic Bulletin 2023, released in April 2026. The figure was 50% in 2011 and 67% in 2018.

Skilled providers are doctors, nurses and midwives. The survey is a household survey run by the NBS with UNICEF, and the 2018 and 2021 figures come from different survey rounds, so small differences between them may reflect sampling. Coverage is lower in rural areas and in the north of the country.

Official sources: NBS: Demographic Bulletin 2023

What is the average life expectancy in Nigeria?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Nigeria was 54.6 years, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 48th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3 years. Worldwide: 193rd of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Nigeria?

69.8 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Nigeria for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. The peak was 80.0 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 68.0 per 1,000 in 2015. It is 2nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 2nd highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Nigeria?

993 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 257 per 100,000, and Nigeria placed 1st highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 1st highest.

What is Nigeria's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Nigeria was 4.2% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2005 and the low 3.0% of GDP in 2019. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Nigeria placed 29th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 149th of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Nigeria?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Nigeria at 71.9% in 2023. The peak was 77.4% in 2017 and the low 66.0% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 32.4%, and Nigeria placed 1st highest of 48. Worldwide: 6th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Nigeria have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Nigeria was 0.38 per 1,000 in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.27 per 1,000 (2005) to 0.43 per 1,000 (2016). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Nigeria placed 3rd highest of 16. World rank, highest first: 41st of 58.

How many children in Nigeria are vaccinated against measles?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Nigeria was 57.0% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 41.0% (2005) to 64.0% (2009). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Nigeria placed 40th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 179th of 191.