Nigeria: Healthcare

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.

The Federal Government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, positioning government procurement as a public-health intervention to promote healthier diets, improved nutrition and prevention of non-communicable diseases. The Guidelines are intended to influence food served and purchased across public institutions, including hospitals, schools and government establishments

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.

In April 2026, the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirmed the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate patient complaints arising from healthcare services, including allegations of medical negligence

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...

NAFDAC has issued a public advisory following the recall of Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by French authorities due to undeclared milk and egg allergens.