X-Ray Cost in Nigeria
What you pay at teaching hospitals and federal medical centres, at private hospitals and diagnostic centres, and through NHIA, HMOs and state schemes. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much is an X-ray in Nigeria?
A single-region X-ray costs approximately ₦3,000–10,000 (≈$2–$8) for a cash patient at a federal teaching hospital or federal medical centre, and roughly ₦7,000–25,000 (≈$5–$19) at private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. A chest X-ray is typically at the lower end. With NHIA or an HMO plan, covered X-rays cost little or nothing if you have a referral and authorisation code. Nigerian facilities rarely publish tariffs, so these are indicative ranges — always ask for a quote.
Quick Overview
Most Nigerians still pay for healthcare out of pocket — about 70% of health spending, according to the Minister of State for Health (September 2025). The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022 replaced the old NHIS, made health insurance mandatory, and created a Vulnerable Group Fund; the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (1% of federal consolidated revenue under the 2014 National Health Act) pays for care of poorer Nigerians. NHIA reported 19.2 million enrollees in 2025 and aims for 44 million by 2030. In practice, employees use an HMO (Hygeia, AXA Mansard, Avon, Reliance and others), states run their own schemes (e.g. Ilera Eko in Lagos), and everyone else pays cash — cheapest at teaching hospitals, fastest at private diagnostic centres.
🏥 Teaching hospitals & FMCs
- LUTH, LASUTH, UCH Ibadan, National Hospital Abuja, UNTH, ABUTH and Federal Medical Centres
- Plus a hospital card/registration fee
- Accept NHIA/HMO referrals
- Queues; equipment downtime happens
🩻 Private hospitals & diagnostic centres
- Diagnostic chains: Union Diagnostics, Clina-Lancet, Afriglobal Medicare, Echolab, MeCure
- Hospitals: Reddington, Lagoon, St. Nicholas, Evercare (Lagos); Cedarcrest, Nizamiye (Abuja)
- Same-day results, digital images
- Most are on HMO panels
💳 NHIA / HMO / state scheme
- *Within your benefit package at an accredited facility
- Referral from your primary provider
- HMO authorisation code before the scan
- CT/MRI only on higher plans, with pre-authorisation
Nigerian X-Ray Prices by Exam (2026)
Indicative self-pay ranges. Nigerian public and private facilities very rarely publish price lists online, so these ranges are approximate and could not be checked against an official tariff for this update. Lagos and Abuja private facilities sit at the upper end; prices in naira have risen with inflation and the 2023–2024 devaluation.
| Exam | Teaching hospital / FMC (cash) | Private hospital / diagnostic centre | USD (≈, private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain X-rays | |||
| Chest (PA) | ≈₦3,000–7,000 | ≈₦7,000–15,000 | $5–$11 |
| Hand or wrist | ≈₦3,000–8,000 | ≈₦8,000–18,000 | $6–$14 |
| Ankle or foot | ≈₦3,000–8,000 | ≈₦8,000–18,000 | $6–$14 |
| Knee | ≈₦3,000–8,000 | ≈₦8,000–18,000 | $6–$14 |
| Cervical or lumbar spine (2 views) | ≈₦4,000–10,000 | ≈₦10,000–22,000 | $8–$17 |
| Spine, multiple regions / extra views | ≈₦8,000–18,000 | ≈₦18,000–40,000 | $14–$30 |
| Pelvis / hips | ≈₦4,000–8,000 | ≈₦9,000–18,000 | $7–$14 |
| Abdomen (plain) | ≈₦4,000–8,000 | ≈₦9,000–18,000 | $7–$14 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | ≈₦5,000–12,000 | ≈₦10,000–25,000 | $8–$19 |
| Other imaging | |||
| Ultrasound, CT and MRI | Not published centrally. Ultrasound is usually priced near the X-ray range; CT and especially MRI cost many times more (MRI generally well into six figures in naira). Get written quotes. | — | |
Approximate ranges, not taken from an official tariff — confirm with the facility. Public hospitals usually add a card/registration fee; private centres may add a consultation or report fee. USD at approximately ₦1,330 = $1 (October 2026).
How NHIA, HMOs and State Schemes Pay for X-Rays
NHIA (national scheme)
- NHIA Act 2022 replaced NHIS and made health insurance mandatory
- Formal-sector contributions: federal public sector 3.25% employer + 1.75% employee; private sector set at 10% + 5% of basic salary (as reported by Nairametrics, 2025)
- Primary care paid by capitation (raised to ₦1,450 per enrollee per month); X-rays and specialist care paid fee-for-service on referral
- Vulnerable Group Fund and BHCPF pay premiums for poorer Nigerians
HMOs and state schemes
- HMOs manage NHIA and private plans: Hygeia, AXA Mansard Health, Avon HMO, Reliance Health and others
- Get an authorisation code before the X-ray, or you may be billed
- Lagos: Ilera Eko (LASHMA), mandatory under a July 2024 executive order
- Other states run their own contributory schemes, often enrolling vulnerable groups first
How to get an X-ray
- Public: open a hospital card, see a doctor, pay at the cashier, then go to radiology
- NHIA/HMO: primary provider → referral → authorisation code → accredited centre
- Private: walk into a diagnostic centre with a request form
- Collect films or a CD/USB and the radiologist's report
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Lagos
- Public: Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH, Idi-Araba), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH, Ikeja), Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta, state general hospitals
- Private: Reddington, Lagoon, St. Nicholas and Evercare hospitals; diagnostic chains such as Union Diagnostics, Clina-Lancet, Afriglobal Medicare and MeCure
- Highest private prices in the country, especially on the Island and Lekki
🏥 Abuja (FCT)
- Public: National Hospital Abuja, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (Gwagwalada), Federal Medical Centre Jabi
- Private: Cedarcrest Hospitals, Nizamiye Hospital and private diagnostic centres
- Prices similar to Lagos
🏥 South-West, South-East and North
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
- University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
- Federal Medical Centres in most states — usually cheaper than Lagos/Abuja private centres
Guide by Patient Type
🇳🇬 Insured (NHIA / HMO)
- Start at your registered primary provider
- Ask the HMO for an authorisation code before the X-ray
- Use a facility on your HMO panel
- If asked to pay for a covered test, call your HMO first
💼 Uninsured Nigerians
- Teaching hospitals and FMCs are usually cheapest
- Private diagnostic centres are faster — compare 2–3 quotes
- Check whether the radiologist's report is included
- Consider enrolling in your state scheme or NHIA
✈️ Expats and visitors
- Not covered by NHIA unless enrolled via an employer
- International insurance is accepted mainly at premium private hospitals
- Keep cash or a naira card — some facilities don't take foreign cards
- Visa medical X-rays (e.g. for UK TB screening) must be done at the approved clinic for that country
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- NIN slip/card or passport
- NHIA/HMO ID card and authorisation code
- Doctor's X-ray request form
- Previous films or CD/USB
- Cash, transfer or card for self-pay
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Teaching hospital: hours to a day (longer if a machine is down)
- Private centre: same day
- Report: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- Use your HMO or state scheme — get the code first
- Compare teaching hospital vs private centre prices
- Ask if one view is enough before paying for more
- Keep digital copies so you don't repeat the X-ray
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Nigeria in 2026?
Approximately ₦3,000–10,000 (about $2–$8) for a single-region X-ray paid cash at a federal teaching hospital or federal medical centre, and roughly ₦7,000–25,000 ($5–$19) at private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Multi-view spine studies and premium hospitals cost more. Nigerian facilities rarely publish price lists, so treat these as indicative and ask for a quote.
How much is a chest X-ray in Lagos?
Expect roughly ₦3,000–7,000 as a cash patient at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) or a general hospital, and about ₦7,000–15,000 at private hospitals or diagnostic centres. Premium hospitals such as Reddington, Lagoon or Evercare are at the top of the range. You usually also pay a registration or card fee at public hospitals.
How much is an X-ray at LUTH, UCH or National Hospital Abuja?
Teaching hospitals do not publish an online tariff. Cash patients pay a hospital card/registration fee and then the radiology charge, approximately ₦3,000–10,000 for a plain X-ray depending on the body part and number of views. NHIA and HMO enrollees referred with an authorisation code pay little or nothing for covered X-rays. Confirm the current fee at the radiology cashier.
Does NHIA (formerly NHIS) cover X-rays?
Yes, diagnostic X-rays are part of the NHIA benefit package, but usually at secondary level: your primary-care provider refers you, and your HMO issues an authorisation (pre-authorisation) code before the X-ray is done at an accredited facility. Without the referral and code you may be asked to pay cash. Some enrollees report being asked to pay for tests that should be covered, so ask your HMO before paying.
How many Nigerians have health insurance?
NHIA reported that enrolment rose from 16.7 million to 19.2 million people (stated September 2025) — still under a tenth of the population. The government has committed to enrolling at least 44 million by 2030, and out-of-pocket payments still make up about 70% of health spending.
Which HMOs cover X-rays in Nigeria?
Most employer plans do, through HMOs such as Hygeia HMO, AXA Mansard Health, Avon HMO and Reliance Health. Coverage depends on your plan and its hospital network; higher plans include CT and MRI with pre-authorisation. Carry your HMO ID and call the HMO for an authorisation code before the scan.
What is Ilera Eko and does it cover imaging?
Ilera Eko is the Lagos State Health Scheme run by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA). An executive order made health insurance mandatory for Lagos residents in July 2024, with LASHMA announcing full enforcement from the third quarter of 2025. Basic imaging is part of many plans — check your plan's benefit list with LASHMA or your provider.
How much do CT and MRI scans cost in Nigeria?
CT and MRI are far more expensive than X-rays and are concentrated in teaching hospitals and private diagnostic centres in big cities. Prices are rarely published and have risen sharply since the naira devaluation; MRI generally costs well into six figures in naira. Get written quotes from two or three centres, and check whether contrast and the radiologist's report are included.
Do I need a doctor's referral for an X-ray in Nigeria?
Public hospitals and HMOs require a doctor's request form (and for HMOs, an authorisation code). Many private diagnostic centres will accept self-referral for a basic X-ray but still prefer a request form so the radiologist knows what to look for.
How much is a dental X-ray in Nigeria?
A small intraoral (periapical) dental X-ray is usually the cheapest imaging test at dental clinics. A panoramic (OPG) X-ray is approximately ₦5,000–12,000 at teaching-hospital dental centres and ₦10,000–25,000 at private dental or diagnostic centres. Confirm the price before booking.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 and NHIA operational guidelines (nhia.gov.ng)
- Nairametrics — "FG targets 44 million health insurance enrollees by 2030" (2 September 2025): NHIA enrolment and out-of-pocket share
- Nairametrics — "Insured but uncovered: Nigerians struggle as health insurance fails to deliver" (August 2025): capitation, contribution rates, HMO issues
- Nairametrics — "Lagos State to begin full enforcement of mandatory health insurance from Q3 2025" (March 2025): Ilera Eko / LASHMA
- National Health Act 2014 — Basic Health Care Provision Fund
- Hospital and diagnostic-centre information (LUTH, LASUTH, UCH, National Hospital Abuja, private diagnostic chains); prices are indicative estimates
- Exchange rate: open.er-api.com, 12 October 2026
Last reviewed: October 2026. Naira prices change quickly; always get a current quote before your X-ray.