- Version
- Download 185
- File Size 2 MB
- File Count 1
- Create Date August 7, 2025
- Last Updated August 7, 2025
Chapter 1 of AHOP's Nigeria Health Systems and Services Profile.
Key messages
- Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with over 216 million people. The population is growing rapidly, at 2.5% per year, driven by a high fertility rate. Moreover, Nigeria has the largest youth population in the world, with 70% of Nigerians being under 30.
- Nigeria’s economy is the largest in Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$ 441 billion in 2022. Over 15% of its GDP is generated by the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, creating opportunities for ICT-enabled health services. However, the country struggles with low growth and high inflation rates, as well as unemployment and underemployment, with consequences for health.
- Almost 63% of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor, lacking income, education and access to basic infrastructure, including sanitation and health care. The adult literacy rate is below the regional average.
- Health governance is devolved, in line with Nigeria’s existing federal governance structure, into the federal, state and local government levels, with 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory at state level and 774 local government areas. Weak core governance indicators, including control of corruption, freedom of expression and the rule of law, remain causes for concern, with knock-on effects on health system governance.
- Population growth has led to high burdens of both communicable diseases and NCDs and increased pressures on the health system. Enteric infections, respiratory infections and tuberculosis, and maternal and neonatal complications are the primary causes of mortality.
- Nigeria’s health outcomes remain poor compared with countries with equivalent or lower health expenditure. Further investment in health system strengthening and addressing socioeconomic challenges is needed to improve health outcomes.