Nigeria: Healthcare

On 24 September 2026, the Ogun State House of Assembly passed the Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill, 2026 (H.B. No. 036/OG/2026). The Bill seeks to establish a legal framework for the termination of pregnancy in specified circumstances, with the stated objectives of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and promoting safe motherhood and reproductive health

Nigeria's cosmetic surgery industry is rapidly expanding, yet practitioners operate under a regulatory framework that imposes no minimum specialist qualifications beyond basic medical registration. This article examines the legal risks facing both medical practitioners and patients, comparing Nigeria's approach with the UK, Canada, and the United States to reveal critical gaps in consent requirements, liability standards, and practitioner certification that leave Nigerian patients uniquely vulnerable.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria. The amendment will be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration as legislation.

Medical errors are an inevitable reality of human healthcare systems, but the legal and ethical crisis emerges when those errors are concealed rather than disclosed. As Nigeria undergoes healthcare reforms between 2023...

The recent judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Lifebridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd v. FCCPC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1019/2021) marks a significant development in Nigeria’s regulatory landscape...

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the distribution of unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in Kaduna State. Following a complaint received by the Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate, NAFDAC officials discovered suspected counterfeit products branded as “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” being sold at a retail outlet.

Patient safety continues to be a significant concern in Nigeria. Recent incidents have sparked public debate and attracted the attention of relevant stakeholders, raising questions about the state of the country's healthcare system.

This Stakeholders' Report provides a comprehensive analysis of key regulatory developments and legislative changes affecting Nigeria's health and pharmaceutical sector during the year 2025 (the "Report Period").

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care a reasonably competent professional in the same field would provide under similar circumstances...