In a compelling reflection on the phenomenon of medical tourism among Nigerians, Prof. M. K. Othman draws attention to the troubling trend of prominent Nigerians seeking healthcare abroad—particularly in London—only to succumb to illness far from home. His commentary underscores the urgent need to revamp Nigeria’s healthcare system and halt the costly exodus of patients to foreign hospitals.
Prof. Othman recalls a telling experience from 2006 in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria. After a long day of fieldwork, an enumerator described his home as “near London”—not the UK capital, but a local graveyard nicknamed “London.” This cynical moniker reflects a streetwise observation: Nigeria’s elite often travel to London for medical treatment, and when they die abroad, their bodies are brought back for burial in “London.”
This dark humor masks a serious issue: over the past decade and a half, at least ten prominent Nigerians have died in London hospitals, exposing the glaring inadequacies of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Prominent Nigerians Who Died Abroad
Among the notable Nigerians who died in London hospitals are:
Former President Muhammadu Buhari (Katsina State), who died July 13, 2025, after a brief illness.
Dr. Abba Sayaddi Ruma, former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, who died unexpectedly despite appearing healthy days before.
Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu, wealthy businessman and philanthropist from Kano.
His Royal Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero, former Emir of Kano.
Oba Okunade Sijuwade, traditional ruler.
Alex Ekwueme, former Nigerian Vice President.
Oluyemi Adeniji, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and diplomat.
Ifeanyi Ubah, businessman and senator.
Clement Nyong Isong, former Central Bank Governor and Cross River State Governor.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of Biafra during Nigeria’s civil war.
These losses, along with many unreported deaths of Nigerians seeking treatment abroad—across Europe, the US, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—illustrate the massive outflow of patients and funds.
Nigeria’s medical tourism bill is staggering. According to The PUNCH, Nigerians spent over $29.29 billion on overseas medical care during Buhari’s eight-year administration, averaging about $3.6 billion annually. This amount could fund approximately 17 world-class hospitals costing $202 million each, with millions left over.
Prof. Othman echoes the recommendation of columnist Dr. Hassan Gimba, who advocates establishing at least six world-class hospitals—one in each geopolitical zone—with Abuja hosting an additional facility.
However, Prof. Othman cautions that systemic issues pose major obstacles:
Corruption and Bribery: Budget inflation, mismanagement, substandard procurement, and theft could derail projects, as seen with the ABU Teaching Hospital, which took over 25 years to complete.
Nepotism and Bigotry: Appointments may favor connections over competence, undermining quality care.
Infrastructure and Security: Unreliable power supply and vandalism threaten facility operations.
Sabotage by Private Hospitals: Potential collusion to undermine public hospitals could persist.
Workforce Challenges: Poor remuneration and lack of meritocracy may degrade healthcare delivery.
Despite these challenges, Prof. Othman is optimistic about private-sector-led solutions. He urges:
Use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with incentives like tax breaks, infrastructure support, and interest subsidies.
Encouraging wealthy Nigerians to invest patriotically, citing Aliko Dangote’s refinery project as a successful example.
Prof. Othman concludes with a powerful appeal: “Let us stop medical tourism to save our healthcare sector and conserve our hard-earned foreign currency. All hands must be on deck.”
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