Health and Healthcare in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the first health priority is malaria prevention: the whole country is high-risk all year. The second is the entry rule: since August 2025 Nigeria has required a yellow fever vaccination certificate from all travellers entering or leaving, except infants under nine months and adults over 60. For treatment, expatriates mostly use private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja, and international insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly advised.

Key points

• Yellow fever certificate: required on entry and exit, so keep it with you.
• Malaria: high risk nationwide. Take atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine as advised by a doctor, and prevent bites.
• Lassa fever, cholera (Borno State) and diphtheria outbreaks were all reported in 2026.
• The national emergency number is 112; in Lagos, 767 and 112 both reach the state Command and Control Centre.
• The 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians and legal residents.

Vaccines and malaria prevention

The UK’s TravelHealthPro recommends hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever and MMR for most travellers to Nigeria. Long-term residents, health workers and people working in remote areas may also need hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal ACWY or cholera vaccines. Malaria tablets follow different schedules: atovaquone/proguanil starts 1–2 days before arrival and continues 7 days after leaving, while doxycycline and mefloquine continue for 4 weeks after leaving. Get tested promptly for any fever; do not wait it out. Details are in our malaria and vaccinations guide.

Outbreaks in 2026

Lassa fever is linked to contact with rodents, so store food carefully and keep rodents out. Cholera spreads through unsafe water, so drink bottled or boiled water.

Hospitals and insurance

Private hospitals used by expatriates in Lagos include Lagoon Hospital, Paelon Memorial and Kelina on Victoria Island, and St Nicholas on Lagos Island. China Town in Ojota also has a clinic with Chinese doctors. Public hospitals are stretched, and serious illness or injury may require evacuation to another country, so international insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly advised. The National Health Insurance Authority Act, signed in May 2022, requires all Nigerians and legal residents to be insured, with formal-sector contributions from employers and employees; Chinese employers should check that staff cover is compliant.

Everyday health habits

• Drink bottled or boiled water, wash raw fruit and vegetables well, and choose street food carefully.
• Use window screens, bed nets and repellent, and wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
• Guard against heat and sun, and make sure site and outdoor workers drink enough water.
• Keep basic medicines at home: fever reducers, anti-diarrhoeals, oral rehydration salts, plasters and malaria rapid tests.
• Have regular check-ups; long-term staff can combine a full check-up with home leave.

Mental health matters too. Distance from family, language barriers and security worries can lead to anxiety and poor sleep. Join community and company activities, and use remote counselling services from home if you need them.

Emergency numbers

The national emergency line 112 also handles emergency medical services. In Lagos, 767 and 112 both connect to the Lagos State Command and Control Centre (fire, ambulance and emergency management). Save the numbers of your hospital, your insurer’s assistance line and your company contact in your phone, and share them with family. For security emergencies, see our Nigeria security guide.

Common questions at a glance

Can I enter without a yellow fever vaccination? Nigeria requires the certificate, and without it you may be refused boarding or entry. Do I take malaria tablets indefinitely? Long-term residents need a different plan from short-term visitors; ask a travel medicine clinic. Can I bring medicine from China? Bring a prescription and an English description, in reasonable quantities. For visas see the visa section, and newcomers should read the newcomers’ guide.

Sources

• TravelHealthPro (UK NaTHNaC): Nigeria
• Expat Arrivals: Healthcare in Lagos
• ICIR: Key issues in Nigeria’s new National Health Insurance Authority Act
• Voice of Nigeria: NEMSAS reaffirms 112 emergency medical line
• Gazette: Lagos urges residents to use emergency lines 767 and 112
• China Global South / AFP: A walk through Lagos’s China Town (May 2026)

In this section

• Nigeria Vaccinations and Malaria Prevention: Yellow Fever, Tablets, Hospitals and Insurance

Facts checked: 2026-10-22 · Niriliya Huaren Editorial Team · How we check facts