In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure used to assist with conception and address infertility. During IVF, an egg is extracted from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting. It has become a widely used and successful option for many aspiring parents. However, access to this technology in Nigeria is increasingly challenged by rising costs.
As reported at a recent conference by the Association of Fertility and Reproductive Health of Nigeria, around 180 IVF clinics are now operating in the country, a significant increase from previous years. At the same time, Nigeria is becoming a hub for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and fertility care, even attracting women from the diaspora. Today, there are around 100 fertility clinics in Nigeria across all major regions and states, representing an over 4,000% increase since the first IVF clinic was set up over 2 decades ago.
The primary reason that women from the diaspora travel back to countries like Nigeria for fertility care is the lower cost. Beyond the reduced costs compared to the US, UK, Canada and other western countries, other factors for the influx of couples seeking fertility care include the ease of sourcing donor material and surrogates given similar ethnic and racial profiles, the success rates of treatments, and the highly restrictive insurance coverage criteria of IVF and fertility care in western countries. Recent legislation has made it even harder to access fertility care in major western countries, potentially leading to an uptick in fertility tourism in Africa. For example, the 2024 Alabama state ruling that embryos created through IVF should be considered children brought IVF care across the state to a standstill, causing couples to explore fertility care in other states and even other countries.
While the success of the fertility and IVF industry in Nigeria is noteworthy, it is hard to ignore the backdrop of wider poor maternal outcomes across the country. The high rate of child marriages and low women and girls' education rates in some parts of the country keep maternal health outcomes poor as women are more likely to experience unintended pregnancies and have reduced access to maternal healthcare. Nigeria has the third highest confirmed number of child brides globally (over 3.5 million) and in Nigeria, 3 in every 10 women aged 20-24 years have given birth before the age of 18.
So what can we learn from the booming IVF industry in Nigeria and how can we leverage those takeaways to improve maternal healthcare for all women across the country? While there is a lot of stigma around infertility and reproductive care in Nigerian and other African cultures, the increased popularity and awareness of IVF could have a positive spillover effect into maternal healthcare in general, leading more women to seek appropriate care.
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Nigeria’s Position in the Global IVF Market
When compared globally, Nigeria’s IVF pricing presents an interesting case. In the United States, IVF costs range from $14,000 to $20,000 (N20 million to N33.3 million) per cycle, while prices in the United Kingdom range from £5,000 to £8,000 (N4.6 million to N7.4 million).
The cost of a single IVF treatment cycle in Nigeria ranges from USD $3,700 to $5,400, though couples usually need at least 2-3 cycles. In comparison, in the US, the cost of IVF can range from $12,000-$14,000 for one cycle. In Canada, it can range from $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle. In the UK, according to the NHS, private IVF care can be up to £5,000 or higher (USD $6,300), and while the NHS provides IVF care, the criteria for who qualifies for NHS-covered IVF care can be very strict and vary across regions.
Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa have the highest number of registered IVF clinics in Africa. The cost of IVF can range from USD $4,600 to $6,000 per cycle in Ghana, USD $5,000-$6,500 or higher in Egypt, and USD $3,700-$4,200 per cycle in South Africa. Another curious paradox is that amidst the backdrop of the brain drain causing thousands of doctors across the country and the continent to flee to western nations, there has been an influx of doctors coming into the country to set up fertility clinics. After Dr Richard Ajayi came from the UK to set up the country’s first IVF clinic in 1999, other doctors followed suit, setting up clinics that allowed the IVF and fertility care space to flourish in Nigeria. These clinics have attracted couples from all over the country and the diaspora seeking treatment, coining the term “fertility tourism”.
Oladapo Ashiru, founder of the Medical Art Center and Secretary General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, highlights the gravity of the situation. “Globally, one in six people faces fertility challenges, but in Nigeria, it’s even worse-one in four. Access to necessary care is a significant issue,” he states.
Approximately 35% of people who want to conceive may require assisted reproductive technology, according to Ashiru. Ashiru notes that IVF has become a very useful health tool to solve reproductive health matters. Nigerians are coming into options of IVF, because the treatment provides a very critical solution for those who are not able to conceive naturally with ease.
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“A lot of people are coming, not just from Nigeria, even from outside the country, Lot of people are coming from Europe and from America, Canada, North America, and also the West African zone. Why are these people coming? Because when you look at the exchange rate, they’ll find it still cheaper to do the treatment in Nigeria,”
“If somebody is getting 2 million, you could be worried about disarming what they’re doing. IVF now ranges from four to 5 million for a simple one. As at about the beginning of this year, whatever we pay to buy drugs are being multiplied by almost four times,” he said.
IVF is often recommended for individuals or couples facing various fertility issues, including blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, low sperm count, unexplained infertility, or genetic disorders.
Factors contributing to the rising infertility rates in Nigeria, are more pronounced, especially in women. According to the WHO, roughly 20% of all global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria, with a maternal mortality rate of over 1,000 per 100,000 live births. Nigerian women have a 1 in 22 lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum; in most developed countries, the risk is 1 in 4,900.
Initial Assessment The Initial assessment is aimed at making a diagnosis of the cause(s) of infertility and to identify information pertaining to the treatment with the Doctor. Diagnostic Test These tests are carried out after giving your consent with the aim of providing the baseline information about the couple and to further avoid the risk of transfering infection to the child. Re-Assessment Some of diagnostic results are no longer valid after six months as they might not portray the current medical status.
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South African doctor develops cheaper IVF treatment
Increasing Financial Burden on Families
A single in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in Nigeria now costs approximately N2.1 million ($2,730), reflecting a 250% increase from the 2019 range of N600,000 to N1.2 million. Some clinics charge as much as N5.5 million for two fresh treatment cycles and up to N7.6 million for three, intensifying the financial burden on couples facing infertility.
This rise in price has made IVF less accessible, particularly for middle-income families. With the average annual income hovering around N2 million ($2,600), the cost of a single IVF cycle exceeds a year’s salary for many, especially considering that multiple cycles are often necessary for success.
The significant cost increase has made IVF even more inaccessible for the average Nigerian. Fertility treatment is not covered by the majority of health insurance plans, and the government’s focus on reproductive health services tends to emphasize maternal and child health, leaving IVF as an expensive out-of-pocket option for those facing infertility challenges.
Global Distribution of IVF Cycles in 2016
The Call for Government Intervention
With fertility rates declining since the 1950s-when the average African family had five to six children-the trend poses significant challenges for the future. Ashiru warns that if this trend continues, Nigeria may face severe population replacement challenges by 2050. The significant increase in IVF costs has made it even more inaccessible for the average Nigerian, as most health insurance plans do not cover fertility treatments. Government focus on reproductive health services tends to prioritize maternal and child health, leaving IVF as an expensive out-of-pocket option for those in need.
The Journey to Parenthood: Personal Stories
Couples like Nkechi and Emmanuel, in their late 30s, are feeling the pressure to start a family. “After several failed attempts with natural methods, our doctor suggested IVF. Initially, the cost seemed overwhelming-between N4 million to N5 million at reputable clinics,” Nkechi recalls.
Another couple, Josephine and her husband, faced secondary infertility after multiple miscarriages. “Although I had a child years ago, conceiving again became increasingly difficult. The high cost and social stigma around IVF made us hesitant, but we knew modern medicine could help,” she shares.
IVF Cost at Medical Art Center
Medical Art Center (www.medicalartcenter.com) is committed to providing transparent, affordable, and high success rate IVF treatments. Here’s a look at their pricing structure:
Treatment Type
- Basic IVF Cycle: ₦2,800,000 - 3,500,000
- IVF with ICSI: ₦3,000,000 - 4,500,000
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): ₦1,500,000 - 2,000,000
- Donor Egg/Sperm IVF: ₦4,500,000 - 5,000,000
Note: Final pricing determined after personalized fertility assessment
| Treatment Type | Price Range (₦) |
|---|---|
| Basic IVF Cycle | 2,800,000 - 3,500,000 |
| IVF with ICSI | 3,000,000 - 4,500,000 |
| Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) | 1,500,000 - 2,000,000 |
| Donor Egg/Sperm IVF | 4,500,000 - 5,000,000 |
Patients choose Medical Art Center for several reasons:
- Africa’s Highest IVF Success Rates (45-75% for women under 35)
- Pioneering Fertility Specialists with 30+ years of experience
- Cutting-Edge Laboratory with advanced embryology equipment
- Holistic Approach combining IVF with detoxification therapies
- Transparent All-Inclusive Pricing with no hidden charges
Ways to Make IVF More Affordable
Medical Art Center offers several strategies to make IVF more accessible:
- Customized Treatment Plans
- Preconception Detox Programs
- Failure Prevention Protocols
- Financial Grants
- NGO Collaborations
- Flexible Payment Plans
- Insurance Partnerships
IVF at Nisa IVF
We believe that when choosing a fertility program like this, one factor commonly looked out for is a team with experience and compassion that literally holds your hand through your journey and also contributes to your well-being. The first IVF live birth from Nisa IVF was born in February 1998. Her case was examined and certified by a committee set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Accurate reporting of IVF success rate can be tricky and complex as hospitals have different approaches to treatments, and selecting patients. Every first Saturday of every month, we hold a free fertility open day where all your questions on infertility, its causes, and solutions are addressed.
The cost of IVF at Nisa is dependent on the type of treatment package you have chosen and also because each patient's situation is unique, we cannot predict the exact price until you have been seen and attended to by a member of our team. Suffice to say that Nisa IVF caters to people of diverse economic backgrounds and we have developed packages for each cadre e.g. The length of the IVF process depends on the number of tests that are necessary, medication, and treatment plan.
Some patients take birth control pills to regulate their menstrual cycle before medications are given. A combination of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone and follicle-stimulating drugs are given in the weeks leading up to egg retrieval, followed by an injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), shortly before the eggs are harvested. The side effects are few and far between - abdominal pain, bloating, weight gain, and breast tenderness.
Third party IVF means that apart from the couple, there's a need to enlist the help of another person. This may involve the use of sperm or eggs from a 3rd party. There are ethical, religious, and social considerations when treatments involve a third party. Various factors may necessitate a couple to seek a particular gender for their offspring, so yes, we offer services like Pre-Implementation Genetic Testing.
Pre-Implementation Genetic Testing (PGT) involves the use of special technology alongside the IVF process to select and transfer unaffected and desired embryos.
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