Aliko Dangote, has urged Nigeria to end its dependency on foreign healthcare and start producing its own drugs and medical infrastructure.
Speaking at a global event in Lagos, he stressed that Nigeria has the capacity to build a world-class health system through local investment and innovation.
Africa’s wealthiest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has made a passionate call for Nigeria to abandon its heavy reliance on foreign healthcare and instead focus on developing its own pharmaceutical industry and health infrastructure. Speaking on June 4, 2025, at the Goalkeepers event organized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Lagos, Dangote emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to stop outsourcing its health needs to other countries.
During a panel discussion alongside global health advocates and development experts, Dangote remarked, “What we need to do is to make sure we stop this health tourism, and we should now start producing our own drugs.” His statement resonated strongly with many in the audience, particularly within the context of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to improve access to quality healthcare services for its citizens.
Dangote, who has built a business empire across various sectors including cement, food, and oil, argued that the same entrepreneurial energy that led to Nigeria’s industrial growth could be applied to the country’s health sector. According to him, there is no reason why a country with the human and natural resources of Nigeria should be unable to manufacture essential medicines or establish state-of-the-art medical facilities.
“Look at what we have achieved in business whether it’s cement, sugar, or refining crude oil. Why can’t we replicate this in health?” Dangote asked. He highlighted the role of private sector investment and public-private partnerships in transforming the healthcare landscape, adding that collaboration with global health leaders such as Bill Gates could provide the technical and strategic guidance needed to achieve this goal.
The billionaire philanthropist has long been a proponent of health sector reforms in Nigeria. Through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, he has supported various health initiatives, including efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system. His latest comments mark a continuation of his commitment to fostering sustainable development in the country, particularly in areas that impact the well-being of everyday Nigerians.
Dangote’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with persistent challenges in its healthcare sector. From a lack of modern medical equipment and facilities to the brain drain of qualified health professionals, the country has been unable to provide adequate care for millions of its citizens. As a result, many wealthy Nigerians continue to travel abroad for medical treatment a trend that not only costs the nation billions in foreign exchange annually but also exposes systemic weaknesses in local hospitals.
Critics argue that medical tourism has become a way for the elite to avoid fixing the domestic healthcare system. However, Dangote insists that Nigeria must reverse this trend by investing in its own people and health infrastructure. “We can no longer afford to send our people abroad for treatment while our hospitals are in dire need of support,” he said.
As the conversation continues, many experts are echoing Dangote’s sentiments. They believe that with strategic investments in healthcare education, pharmaceutical research, and hospital development, Nigeria can significantly reduce its dependence on foreign medical services and create a more resilient, self-sufficient system.
The question now is whether the Nigerian government and other stakeholders will act on this wake-up call, or continue to allow the nation’s healthcare potential to be outsourced abroad.
