For many people in rural Nigeria, getting medical care can be difficult.
A health centre may be far away. Medicines may be unavailable. Staff may be too few to meet demand.
When formal healthcare feels inaccessible or unaffordable, some families turn to faith-based or traditional forms of care.
When the Clinic Is Not Enough
Nigeria’s primary healthcare system continues to face major challenges.
A 2026 report found that more than 6,500 primary healthcare centres across the country were still non-functional. Poor funding, staff shortages, insecurity and weak maintenance were among the problems identified.
The problem is particularly serious for rural communities.
A 2026 study of primary healthcare facilities in Kaduna State found that rural facilities had significantly higher operating costs than urban facilities. The study also identified an annual funding gap of about ₦8.8 million in the facilities examined.
Why People Look Elsewhere
Distance and cost can influence healthcare decisions.
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics data cited in a 2026 EUAA report found that the cost of medical visits was one reason some people did not seek care. The report also noted that failure to seek medical attention was more common in rural areas.
Faith-based care can also be familiar and close to home.
For some families, religious leaders are trusted members of the community. Their services may also appear more accessible than travelling to a distant health facility.
That does not mean faith healers replace hospitals for most Nigerians. Current national data shows chemist shops and hospitals are used much more frequently than traditional or faith-based healers.
Funding Can Change the Picture
Nigeria has continued to invest in primary healthcare.
In March 2026, the Federal Government approved more than ₦32 billion for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. The programme is designed to improve access and reduce financial barriers to basic healthcare.
But releasing money is only part of the solution.
Facilities also need medicines, trained workers, reliable equipment and proper accountability.
The World Health Organization’s 2025 assessment of Nigeria’s health system similarly identified limited funding, infrastructure problems and workforce shortages as barriers to effective primary healthcare.
The Real Question
The issue is not simply why some people choose faith healers.
It is also whether people have a reliable medical option close to where they live.
WHO says traditional and complementary medicine remains important in many rural and remote communities because it can be culturally acceptable, available and affordable. It also supports evidence-based regulation and appropriate integration into health systems.
For Nigeria, improving rural healthcare means making primary health centres functional, affordable and trustworthy.
When quality healthcare is available within reach, families have more choices.
And that could make the biggest difference of all.
