The death of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari at the prestigious London Clinic has reignited public anger over the country’s longstanding medical tourism culture and its dilapidated healthcare system.
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the exclusive £3,500-per-night private hospital, widely known for serving high-profile global elites, including members of the British royal family. He had been admitted since April for what was initially described as a routine check-up but reportedly took ill during his stay.
According to his nephew, Mamman Daura, Buhari appeared healthy the day before his death and was preparing for discharge when he suddenly developed breathing difficulties. “Doctors tried to manage it, but sadly, around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, he passed away,” Daura told ThisDay.
While the exact cause of death was not disclosed, Buhari had battled recurring health issues for years and frequently sought treatment abroad during and after his presidency.
Luxury Care, National Frustration
The London Clinic, located in the heart of London’s Harley Street medical district, is one of the UK’s most expensive and well-equipped private hospitals. Reports suggest that Buhari spent time in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where treatment can cost up to £3,500 per night.
Founded in 1932, the hospital boasts 13 ICU beds, 10 operating theatres, five Macmillan Cancer Support Centres, and cutting-edge surgical technology. Its services range from oncology and digestive health to neurosurgery, robotic operations, and advanced diagnostics like PET-CT and MRI scans.
Medical consultations at the facility cost between £100 and £750, CT scans are priced around £500, while major surgeries range from £10,000 to £13,000, according to UK-based Nigerian doctors familiar with the hospital.
“Why Elites Get Power, While We Suffer in Darkness”
Back home, Nigerians are outraged. The government’s decision to spend public funds on elite medical care for top officials has been criticized as a betrayal of the public health system and its professionals. The outcry follows revelations of another controversial expenditure — a N10 billion solar mini-grid for the Presidential Villa — seen by many as further proof that national leaders prioritize their own comfort over citizens’ needs.
On social media, users expressed their dismay. Activist @Morris_Monye wrote: “Aso Rock used N10bn for solar panels for themselves, while you can’t afford N10m for your small house!” Another user, @novieverest, added: “This shows they don’t care about giving us steady light.”
Buhari’s Record of Medical Trips
During his eight years in office, Buhari embarked on numerous medical trips to the UK. He spent over 225 days abroad for treatment, including a 104-day stay in 2017 — the longest by any Nigerian leader for health reasons. His travels were defended by his former spokesperson, Femi Adesina, who insisted that Buhari “had used the same medical team for 40 years.”
Following his death, Adesina claimed that had Buhari used Nigerian hospitals, “he could have long been dead.” The remark drew widespread condemnation from doctors’ associations who described it as both insulting and misleading.
Medical Community Reacts: “A Vote of No Confidence in Our Health System”
Healthcare bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have condemned the continued preference for foreign hospitals by political leaders.
Dr. Tope Osundara, NARD President, said: “It’s like building a company, refusing to use its products, and still asking others to trust it. If Nigerian leaders cannot trust the system they’re supposed to strengthen, it demoralizes those working in it and fuels brain drain.”
He also slammed Adesina’s statement: “Suggesting Nigerian hospitals would have killed Buhari is a dangerous narrative. We have competent doctors and nurses who’ve saved lives under far worse conditions.”
NMA President Prof. Bala Audu echoed similar sentiments. “It’s deeply offensive to suggest Nigerians need to go abroad to survive. Nigerian doctors are among the best globally — what we lack is investment and infrastructure.”
MDCAN President Prof. Muhammad Muhammad urged the government to equip both public and private hospitals to reduce medical tourism. “Countries like India and Egypt have become health tourism hubs through consistent investment and incentives. Nigeria can do the same,” he said.
Cost of Medical Tourism: N13.4 Billion in 16 Years
Between 2007 and 2022, the Nigerian government reportedly spent at least N13.4 billion on medical travel for presidents and top officials. Despite promises to curb the trend — including the construction of a N21 billion Presidential Wing at the State House Clinic — both Buhari and his successor, Bola Tinubu, have continued to seek care abroad.
Buhari’s own administration invested over N10 billion into the new VIP wing, yet rarely used the State House medical facilities. Tinubu has also made multiple trips to France for treatment since taking office in 2023.
A Legacy of Broken Promises
Buhari’s death at a luxury foreign hospital has come to symbolize a broader failure of Nigeria’s health sector. Despite abundant talent and substantial budget allocations, many public hospitals remain under-equipped, overburdened, and understaffed.
As Nigerians mourn a former president, many are also left asking a painful question: if those in power don’t trust the hospitals they fund, what hope is there for the rest of the country?
The calls for reform are growing louder, with citizens and experts alike demanding an end to the elite medical exodus — and a renewed commitment to building a health system that works for all.
