For years, the familiar approach to health care for many Nigerians was simple – wait until illness strikes, then look for money to treat it. But as the cost of medicines, hospital consultations, laboratory tests and other medical services continues to rise, a growing number of Nigerians are beginning to rethink that approach.
Weekend Trust findings show that from buying multivitamins and dietary supplements to investing in mosquito nets, exercising, eating healthier meals and going for medical check-ups, many Nigerians are increasingly spending money to prevent illnesses rather than waiting to pay much more when they eventually occur.
The shift is particularly noticeable among urban residents, professionals and families, who said they would rather spend money on staying healthy than face the financial burden of hospital treatment.
Available market data supports the emerging trend. Euromonitor reported that value sales of consumer health products in Nigeria rose in 2025, while vitamins and dietary supplements performed relatively well despite weak consumer purchasing power and price sensitivity. The market research firm attributed part of the trend to growing interest in wellness and preventive health.
For many households, however, prevention is not necessarily cheap.
A bottle of multivitamins, supplements promoted for immunity or general wellness, quality mosquito nets, insect repellents, gym memberships and routine health checks can take a significant portion of a household’s disposable income.
Yet, for people who have experienced the cost of illnesses, such spending increasingly appears to be an investment rather than unnecessary expenditures.
When staying healthy becomes an investment
For some Nigerians, the decision to spend on preventive health is driven by personal experience.
The calculation is often straightforward: spend money now on healthier food, exercise, supplements or screening, or risk spending significantly more later on hospital bills, drugs and investigations.
This is happening against the background of a health care system in which Nigerians already shoulder a substantial portion of medical expenses.
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2026 profile of Nigeria, drawing on World Health Organisation (WHO) data, reported that out-of-pocket spending accounted for about 71 per cent of health expenditure in 2023. It also noted that Nigeria’s health care spending remained heavily dependent on direct payments by households.
That reality has changed the way some people think about illnesses. For a middle-class family, a serious illness can mean paying for consultation, laboratory investigations, scans, admission, medicines and transportation, sometimes for weeks or months.
Preventive spending, therefore, is increasingly being viewed as a form of financial protection.
For instance, Joseph Bukola, an Abuja resident who spends at least N60,000 monthly on exercise, healthier meals and vitamins, may see the expenditure as cheaper than managing hypertension, diabetes or other chronic conditions if they ever developed.
Joseph Bukola spends a lot monthly on exercise, healthy food and vitamins. “I spend about N60,000 monthly on vitamins, supplements, exercise and healthier food. I only thought about my health when I fell sick, but that changed when I realised how much treatment can cost. I now see the money I spend on prevention as an investment rather than expenditure.”
A mother of two who simply identified herself as Chioma said, “I buy multivitamins almost every month, especially for myself and the children. Depending on what we need, I spend between N15,000 and N40,000 monthly. Sometimes I have to reduce what I buy because the prices keep increasing. But I still try to keep some money aside for them because I don’t want to wait until someone falls sick before doing something.”
Perhaps one of the clearest signs of the changing attitude is the growing visibility of dietary supplements. Pharmacies, supermarkets, online retailers and wellness businesses now stock an expanding range of multivitamins, minerals, immune-support products, herbal preparations and other supplements.
The market is driven partly by the desire to strengthen immunity, improve energy, maintain healthy skin, support reproductive health or simply remain healthy.
Euromonitor noted that vitamins and dietary supplements performed relatively well in Nigeria in 2025 despite consumers’ sensitivity to prices.
However, health professionals warn that the desire to prevent disease can itself become dangerous when people take supplements indiscriminately.
Taking multiple supplements simply because they are advertised as products that can “boost immunity” is not necessarily the same thing.
A pharmacist, Onyebuchi Emmanuel, told Weekend Trust that the demand for multivitamins and dietary supplements had increased, with consumers frequently asking for products marketed for immunity, energy, general wellness, blood-building and other health benefits
The pharmacist, however, warned that the increasing popularity of supplements could create problems when consumers take several products without professional guidance
“People sometimes come into the pharmacy asking for multivitamins, immune boosters and other supplements at the same time. The concern is that they may not always know what is contained in each product. Two or three different products may contain some of the same vitamins or minerals,” the pharmacist said
According to him, taking multiple supplements doesn’t necessarily provide additional health benefits and could expose consumers to excessive intake of certain nutrients.
“People shouldn’t assume that because a product is sold over the counter or described as natural, it is safe. Some supplements can interact with medicines, while excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals can also be harmful,” he added.
Cost of keeping mosquitoes away
Malaria prevention provides another example of Nigerians spending money to protect themselves from illnesses.
Mosquito nets, insecticides, window screens, repellents and environmental sanitation all require some form of investment, although some preventive commodities are distributed free of charge by the government and development partners.
According to the federal government, Nigeria distributed 63 million insecticide-treated nets between 2021 and 2023 and estimated that malaria prevention efforts averted about 18 million cases annually.
In 2025, more than 34.7 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed to households across 10 states, according to figures reported in June 2026. Yet, households still spend their money on additional protection. Some buy extra nets for children. Others purchase insecticides, repellents, or window and door nets.
A 2025 study of malaria prevention practices in Nigeria found that respondents used different preventive measures but identified the cost of treated mosquito nets and other malaria-prevention commodities as significant challenges.
The preventive spending is understandable in a country where malaria remains a major public health burden.
Muhammad Haruna, who lives with his family in the Jabi area of Abuja, said he spent N10,000 monthly on malaria prevention.
“We don’t wait until somebody has malaria before buying medication for prevention. I usually buy mosquito repellent and insecticide monthly, while mosquito nets are replaced when they become old or damaged. Altogether, I spend up to N10,000 monthly on mosquito prevention, especially because I have children,” he said.
A journalist, Ezra Ukanwa, told Weekend Trust that he spends roughly N8,000 monthly on mosquito repellents and insecticides. “Before now, I didn’t take it seriously. If mosquitoes became too much, I simply bought something mild. But after seeing how much malaria treatment costs, I started taking preventive measures as a regular household priority,” he said.
From hospital bills to health checks
Another aspect of the shift is an increasing interest in routine medical examinations. Rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe, some Nigerians are beginning to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and other indicators periodically. The motivation is partly fear.
Many non-communicable diseases can develop quietly, with people remaining unaware until complications occur.
