Lagos — Escalating prices of drugs and hospital consumables are reshaping Nigeria’s healthcare financing landscape, prompting hospitals to raise service tariffs and compelling Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to increase premiums across the board.
Industry sources attribute the adjustments to inflationary pressures, rising import costs, and growing operational overheads. The financial strain is increasingly being passed on to consumers, many of whom are struggling to afford quality healthcare.
Between 2024 and 2025, health insurance premiums have surged significantly, with increases ranging from 8% for basic plans to as high as 59% for top-tier coverage. Previously, Nigerians paid annual premiums ranging from N79,500 to N1.379 million; the revised rates now span from N86,500 to N1.939 million.
The steep adjustments reflect an industry-wide restructuring as healthcare providers and insurers adapt to a rapidly rising cost environment, underscoring the urgent need for policies that can make healthcare more affordable and sustainable for Nigerians.
