X-Ray Cost in Nigeria
What you actually pay out of pocket and through NHIS / HMOs. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Nigerian healthcare is largely self-pay. Only ~5% of Nigerians had NHIS coverage historically — mostly formal-sector workers. The 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act made enrolment mandatory and created the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to subsidise 83 million poor Nigerians. Implementation is ongoing. Private HMOs (Hygeia, AXA Mansard, Avon) are widely used by middle-class Nigerians. Self-pay X-rays typically cost ₦5,000–25,000 at private hospitals.
🏥 Public Tertiary / Teaching Hospitals
- LUTH, UCH, NAUTH, ABUTH, UITH
- Cheapest self-pay tier
- NHIS-accepting where applicable
- Wait times can be long
🏥 Private Hospitals
- Typical Lagos / Abuja chest X-ray
- Premium facilities (Reddington, Lagoon) higher
- HMOs often contracted
- Same-day access
🏥 NHIS / HMO
- *Within benefit package at accredited facility
- Small co-pay possible
- Most employer plans via HMOs
- 2022 NHIA Act expanding coverage
Typical Nigerian X-Ray Prices
Indicative private self-pay prices as of April 2026. Lagos and Abuja sit at the upper end of each range.
| X-Ray Service | Public tertiary (NGN) | Private hospital (NGN) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 3,000–7,000 | 7,000–15,000 | $5–$10 |
| Limb / joint / hand | 3,000–8,000 | 8,000–18,000 | $5–$12 |
| Spine — single segment | 4,000–10,000 | 10,000–22,000 | $7–$15 |
| Spine — multi-view | 8,000–18,000 | 18,000–40,000 | $12–$27 |
| Abdomen | 4,000–8,000 | 9,000–18,000 | $6–$12 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | 5,000–12,000 | 10,000–25,000 | $7–$17 |
Indicative ranges. USD conversions at approximately ₦1,500 = $1 (2026 rates). Naira depreciation has meaningfully increased prices in local currency terms. Always confirm current pricing.
How Nigerian Healthcare Coverage Works
Main pathways
- NHIS (now NHIA): national scheme; historically ~5% coverage
- HMOs: private managed-care (Hygeia, AXA Mansard, Avon, Reliance HMO)
- State Health Insurance Schemes: being rolled out state by state
- Federal / state hospitals: subsidised self-pay for uninsured
- Basic Health Care Provision Fund: federal subsidy for the poorest
2022 NHIA Act changes
- Mandatory enrolment for all Nigerians
- Basic Health Care Provision Fund targets 83M poor
- ~₦15,000 annual per capita subsidy
- Implementation phased state-by-state
How to get an X-ray
- Public hospital: register with ID, pay fee, get imaging
- HMO: go to contracted facility with HMO card
- NHIS: use accredited provider
- Self-pay: walk into private hospital or imaging centre
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Teaching / Federal Hospitals
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
- University College Hospital (UCH) — Ibadan
- National Hospital Abuja
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH)
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH)
- University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH)
🏥 Major Private Hospitals
- Reddington Hospital — Lagos
- Lagoon Hospitals — Lagos
- St. Nicholas Hospital — Lagos
- Cedarcrest Hospitals — Abuja
- Nizamiye Hospital — Abuja
- Memfys Hospital — Enugu (neurosurgery focus)
💡 Practical tips
- Employer HMOs cover most private-hospital imaging — check network
- Federal / teaching hospitals cheapest for self-pay
- Ask for itemised quote before imaging
- Digital imaging delivered on CD/USB
Guide by Patient Type
🇳🇬 Nigerian residents
- Formal sector: employer HMO usually covers imaging
- Self-pay: federal / teaching hospitals cheapest
- Basic Health Care Provision Fund for eligible poor
- 2022 NHIA Act expanding mandatory enrolment
💼 Expats in Nigeria
- International private insurance (Bupa, AXA Global) common
- Premium hospitals (Reddington, Lagoon) cater to expats
- Self-pay at private hospital affordable by Western standards
- Lagos / Abuja best private infrastructure
✈️ Visitors
- Travel health insurance strongly recommended
- Self-pay at private hospital ₦7,000–25,000 per view
- Emergency care at federal hospitals available
- Lagos / Abuja have best English-service clinics
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Nigerian ID card (NIN) or passport
- HMO / NHIS card (if applicable)
- Doctor's referral / request
- Prior imaging on CD/USB
- Cash / card for self-pay
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Public tertiary: hours to a day
- Private self-pay: same day
- Results: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- Use your employer HMO network
- Federal / teaching hospitals cheapest for uninsured
- Compare 2–3 private facilities before booking
- Ask for itemised quote before imaging
FAQ
How much is a chest X-ray in Lagos?
Typically ₦7,000–15,000 at a private hospital (~$5–$10 USD). Federal teaching hospitals like LUTH charge ₦3,000–7,000 for a self-pay chest X-ray. Premium private facilities (Reddington, Lagoon) are at the upper end.
What is the 2022 NHIA Act?
Converted NHIS into NHIA and made health insurance enrolment mandatory for all Nigerians. Created the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to subsidise ~83 million poor Nigerians. Implementation is phased state-by-state.
Do most Nigerians have health insurance?
Historically only ~5% had NHIS coverage — mostly formal-sector workers. The 2022 NHIA Act aims to expand this dramatically. Many middle-class Nigerians use private HMOs instead of / in addition to NHIS.
Which HMOs cover private X-rays?
Hygeia HMO, AXA Mansard, Avon HMO, Reliance HMO, and others. Your employer plan will specify the contracted hospital network. Bring the HMO card; expect a small co-pay at some facilities.
Is medical tourism from Nigeria popular?
Yes — many Nigerians travel to India, Egypt, UAE, and Turkey for complex procedures due to cost and specialist availability. For routine X-rays, local hospitals are typically adequate and much cheaper than outbound travel.
How has naira depreciation affected prices?
Naira has weakened significantly. In USD terms X-rays remain among the cheapest globally, but local-currency prices have risen. Always check current NGN pricing before booking.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) — 2022 Act and fee-for-service price list
- Nigerian Search Guide — 2026 X-ray price references
- Federal Medical Centre Bida — published hospital fees
- Nairaland and Nigerian Health Blog — market references
Last reviewed: April 2026. Private prices in naira move with exchange rate — always verify.