The short answer
Surgery in Nigeria can be safe, but safety depends on the specific surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital, not the country. Before you agree, ask who is operating and whether they are registered with the MDCN as a specialist, who gives the anaesthetic, whether blood, oxygen and steady power are available, and what happens if something goes wrong. A good hospital answers these questions plainly and puts the price in writing.
Book gallbladder removal, from ₦750,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Ask about the surgeon
Every doctor practising in Nigeria must be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). For an operation you want a surgeon trained in that specialty, who does this operation regularly. It is reasonable to ask directly.
- What is your name, and are you registered with the MDCN as a specialist?
- How often do you do this operation?
- Will you do the operation yourself, or someone else on your team?
- Who do I contact after I go home if I have a problem?
Ask about the anaesthetic
The anaesthetic is as important as the operation. Ask who will give it and whether they will meet you beforehand. For bigger operations, and for older people or those with heart, lung or kidney problems, ask whether a doctor anaesthetist will be in charge. You should be monitored continuously during the operation and in a recovery area afterwards until you are awake and stable.
Ask about the hospital's back-up
Most operations go to plan. Safety is about what is ready when one does not.
- Is there steady power for theatre, with a back-up that switches on without a gap?
- Is oxygen available in theatre and on the ward?
- Can blood be arranged if I need it, and how?
- Is there a recovery area with a nurse watching me as I wake?
- If I become seriously unwell, is there a high-dependency or intensive care bed, or a plan to transfer me?
Ask about the process on the day
The World Health Organization's surgical safety checklist is a short set of checks done before the anaesthetic, before the first cut and before you leave theatre: confirming who you are, which operation and which side, allergies, expected blood loss, and that instruments are all counted. Ask whether the team uses a checklist like it. You should also be asked to sign a consent form after the risks, benefits and alternatives have been explained, never in a rush at the theatre door.
Warning signs to walk away from
Be careful if you are pressured to decide on the spot for a non-emergency operation, if nobody will tell you the surgeon's name, if the price changes every time you ask, or if you are asked to pay large cash deposits with no receipt. A safe hospital is open about who, what and how much.
On Mezo, surgeons are verified against the MDCN register, operations take place at partner hospitals in the network, you pay online with nothing paid at the counter, and you receive a written all-in quote after your assessment.
What it costs on Mezo
One night in hospital included.
Common questions
How do I check if a doctor is registered in Nigeria?
Ask for their full name and MDCN registration, and check it with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. On Mezo, surgeons are checked against the MDCN register before they can be booked.
Is it safer to travel to India or the UK for surgery?
Not automatically. Travelling adds long flights, a short stay and follow-up in a different country. For most routine operations a well-chosen surgeon and hospital at home, with follow-up nearby, is the safer plan.
Should I worry about NEPA cutting during my operation?
Ask the hospital directly how theatre power is backed up. A hospital doing surgery should have a back-up that keeps theatre running without interruption.
What if something goes wrong after I go home?
Before you leave, get a name and number to call, and know the warning signs. Our guide on coming home after surgery lists them.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Safe surgery. World Health Organization. Clinical guideline.
- Implementation manual WHO surgical safety checklist 2009. World Health Organization. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.