Nigeria has great campuses, great cities, and great opportunity.
It also requires an adult health insurance.
The quality and availability of hospitals and clinics differ, and private care is not cheap. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK (FCDO) is not subtle about this and encourages travelers to purchase medical treatment insurance and medical evacuation insurance. That is not an off-the-cuff proposal but an indication of what is going on on the ground.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include an easy rule that you can use anywhere care does not meet the standard of your home country: purchase travel health insurance and medical evacuation cover and whenever you can find a policy one that will pay hospitals directly. Evacuations and air ambulances will run you six figures; you do not want to finance that liability yourself.
That’s the context.
Today we will make it a plan you can start working on.
What “good” student cover looks like in Nigeria
Direct billing inpatient and outpatient. Unless your insurer can provide a guarantee of payment or has a direct-billing arrangement, private hospitals usually require the deposit before admission. Having your insurer able to pay the clinic directly will be a much smoother process to admit to- Allianz publicly outlines its Direct Settlement process, and many others have the same workflow.
Repatriation and emergency medical evacuation. Treat this as non-negotiable. These are based on government advice to Nigeria that evacuation of serious cases might be necessary. Ensure that your plan identifies evacuation into the nearest fitting facility and repatriation of remains.
24/7 support that is available quickly. Put the number in your phone and on a wallet card. Minutes per matter require a team capable of pre-authorizing care and providing a guarantee of payment on your behalf.
Mental-health and telemedicine. End-of-the-day questions, exam week stress, easy refills virtual care and counseling get you to work out problems beforehand. The Virtual Doctor and Mind Health services of AXA will demonstrate how this works in practice; other world plans have the same tools.
University-ready paperwork. The majority of international student plans are able to provide a certificate or letter that admission and immigration can accept. Ask for it up front.
The top 10 providers students actually compare for Nigeria
All ten below are global names used by students and expats, plus one reputable Nigerian provider with student-specific options. I’ve included why each fits Nigeria and one thing to verify before you buy.
1) Allianz Care
Why it is powerful: big global provider network, familiarity with cross-border claims, a published Direct Settlement procedure so eligible bills can be directly paid to hospitals, which is important when a facility desires an upfront deposit.
What to verify: request the most proximate direct-billing clinics to your campus, and store the guarantee-of-payment steps on your phone.
2) IMG Global
Why it is robust: several student-specific plans, such as Student Health Advantage (Standard/Platinum), that cover international emergency care, mental health, organized sports, and (in some levels) maternity (with waiting periods). Extend the degrees of renewal.
What to verify: the availability of telehealth in your local area, wait times associated with other pre-existing conditions, and coverage of sports.
3) Cigna Global
The reason it is powerful: flexible, customizable global schemes, large network, experience, settling bills directly with providers. Cigna also sells student-specific routes and has the ability to write the letters that universities request.
What to look at: a list of preferred providers within the neighborhoods where you really will need, and a student certificate with your school wording.
4) Bupa Global
Why it is powerful: powerful global strategies that have direct access to the specialists on some levels, large annual limits at the top, and established digital platforms. Bupa is often shortlisted by students who desire no fuss access to private care.
What to investigate: the specific maximum amount per year on your tier and referral procedures in clinics you will attend.
5) AXA Global Healthcare (AXA Health)
Why it is good: benefit ceiling is high, plus Virtual Doctor video visits and Mind Health counseling are built in to most personal plans. AXA also records how evacuation and repatriation is undertaken where local care is insufficient.
What to consider: the one to add to your tier Virtual Doctor/Mind Health, and the evacuation benefit clause and coverage;
6) GeoBlue (Navigator for Students)
Why it is powerful: a student-purpose plan that includes concierge-like medical care, an exclusive list of international practitioners, and entry to the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in the U.S. There are student materials which record very high medical maxima and set evacuation limits.
What to look at: the number of limitations on evacuation in use today within the Navigator brochure, the coinsurance guidelines within/without the U.S. and any restrictions country-dependent.
7) APRIL International
Why it is powerful: a student international health plan that can be purchased during 1-12 months and includes hospital, outpatient, diagnostics, and prescriptions; APRIL also creates transparent brochures that can be easily distributed to admissions.
What to look into: waiting times, outpatient limits, and whether you will need sports and/or maternity cover at any point in your program.
8) International Student Insurance (ISI)
Why it is good: a student coverage specialist, with Student Secure levels to suit common university and visa needs, frequently at affordable rates. ISI even advertises plans as low as $29/month on its own site, which is handy when you are cost-sensitive.
What to look at: what level meets your school minimums, and does telemedicine cover your area.
9) AXA Mansard (Nigeria)
Why it has strength: a well-known Nigerian insurer that has a Student Travel Insurance policy to study abroad (instant certificate, usable worldwide) and an International Health Plan managed by AXA PPP to cover anywhere in the world, both would be good in case you want to be serviced in your home country and still covered internationally.
What to look at: the destination coverage on the student travel plan, and the particular inpatient/outpatient and evacuation cover on the international health plan (AXA Mansard is particularly strong in inpatient and evacuation benefits).
10) Pacific Prime (broker)
Why it is good: a big, regulated broker that sends students to large carriers (some of whom are on this list) and is able to print side-by-side comparisons and letters that are school compliant. Brokers do not insure you, but assist you in choosing the appropriate wording and price.
What to investigate: request them to list two or three plans that cover evacuation and direct billing in Nigeria and to forward you the policy documents.
Coverage features to insist on (and how to verify them in minutes)
Cashless hospital and outpatient care.
Request your insurer to provide a list of preferred providers at or close to your housing and campus and establish whether they are capable of providing a guarantee of payment. Allianz describes direct settlement publicly; Cigna and other majors advertise direct billing throughout part of their networks. When a clinic is not in-network, make sure you understand the pre-authorization process, and what you will need to receive reimbursement.
Repatriation and emergency medical evacuation.
Ensure that you have both in your plan, capped and the nearest appropriate facility language. In situations where advanced care may be scarce or distant, evacuation is a critical consideration in government guidance toward destinations. You do not want a nurse to tell you this at half past twelve; read the evacuation section and pay before you read.
Telehealth and psychiatry.
Look at whether you have 24/7 video consults and counseling on your tier. The Online Doctor and Mind Health pages of AXA provide an idea of what to search; most student plans on other sites provide such services, but often through partners such as Teladoc.
University-ready documentation.
Request a certificate which includes medical, evacuation and repatriation benefits. An example is the student page on Cigna, which identifies that some universities mandate international insurance and places their plans at the top of the page to use the language to accelerate approvals.
Fast comparison snapshot
| Provider | Student-focused plan(s) | Evacuation included | Mental health | Telemedicine | What to double-check |
| Allianz Care | Student/expat lines | Yes (per policy) | Yes (by tier) | App/portal | Nearby direct-billing clinics. allianzcare.com |
| IMG Global | Student Health Advantage | Yes | Yes | Often included | Waiting periods; sports/maternity. IMG Global |
| Cigna Global | Student/expat options | Yes | Yes | Remote doctor access | Provider list where you live. Cigna Global+1 |
| Bupa Global | Tiered global plans | Yes | Yes | Digital support | Annual limits on your tier. Bupa Global |
| AXA Global Healthcare | Personal plans | Yes (documented) | Mind Health | Virtual Doctor | Service inclusion on your tier. AXA – Global Healthcare+1 |
| GeoBlue | Navigator (Students) | Yes | Yes | Tele-support | Evac limit & coinsurance rules. GeoBlue Travel Insurance |
| APRIL International | Student International Health | Yes | Yes | App/portal | Outpatient caps; waits. APRIL International |
| ISI (International Student Insurance) | Student Secure (from $29/mo) | Yes | Yes | Varies by tier | Tier that matches school needs. International Student Insurance+1 |
| AXA Mansard (Nigeria) | Student Travel; International Health Plan | Yes (per product) | Yes (by plan) | Digital onboarding | Right destination variant; evacuation. axamansard.com+1 |
| Pacific Prime (broker) | Multi-insurer placement | Via chosen plan | Via chosen plan | Via chosen plan | Shortlist with Nigeria direct billing. Pacific Prime |
Benefits vary by tier and region; always read the current policy wording before purchase.
A simple buying process that works
Step 1 — Shortlist three providers (or one broker).
Pick a mix: one “big network + direct billing” brand (e.g., Allianz or Cigna), one with strong digital care (e.g., AXA), and one student specialist (e.g., IMG, APRIL, or ISI). This gives you apples-to-apples quotes without drowning in options.
Step 2 — Confirm acceptance with your university.
Email admissions a one-pager and ask if the plan meets their insurance requirement for medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation. Insurers like Cigna make it clear that some universities require international cover; attach the certificate they provide to get a quick “yes.”
Step 3 — Verify local access before you pay.
Ask for the preferred-provider list in your city and any field sites, plus instructions for guarantees of payment. Knowing which private clinics can bill your insurer directly is the difference between showing your e-card and handing over your credit card.
Step 4 — Read the parts everyone skips.
Look for waiting periods (pre-existing conditions, maternity), mental-health session caps, telemedicine availability in Nigeria, and any country-specific exclusions. Student plan brochures from IMG and APRIL spell these out clearly—make them your template for what to check.
Step 5 — Save the numbers.
Store your insurer’s 24/7 assistance line—in your phone and on a card in your wallet. If you ever need admission or evacuation, you’ll want that number ready, not buried in an email. The CDC also recommends choosing policies that can pay hospitals directly, which you may need your assistance team to arrange.
How to use your plan in Nigeria (a quick drill)
Disaster first, documents second.
Get to care. Next contact the assistance desk with your insurer. Instead of raising a big deposit, they have the ability to open a case and secure a guarantee of payment with the hospital. This is natural in global schemes; the direct-settlement instructions at Allianz demonstrate the type of scheme most insurers use.
To begin with non-emergency cases, begin with telemedicine.
Triage, routine prescriptions, or follow-ups can be done with the virtual doctor on the plan. AXAs Online Doctor provides a clear example of the model that many other global plans have adopted 24/7 access, clear documentation, and easy referrals as needed. You save time and miss the door that is incorrect.
When a clinic requests a deposit, do not panic.
Request personnel to call your insurer to have them directly settle the bill. When you need to pay, get itemized invoices and medical notes to be reimbursed. The general guidelines that CDC gives are to select policy that can pay providers straight away; take advantage of that option.
When evacuation is raised.
The decision of your treating doctor and that of the medical team at the insurer are made together. Where local capacity is inadequate, evacuation to the closest suitable facility is organized and handled under your policy of evacuation/repatriation benefits. The common route is described in the evacuation material prepared by AXA.
Smart coverage levels (so you don’t overspend or under-insure)
- Medical maximum: select a limit that will include surgery and hospitalization outside of Nigeria in the event of evacuation. Numerous high-end plans will have significantly large relatively unlimited inpatient caps at the highest levels, such as Bupa and GeoBlue student materials, but be sure to check the precise number on your tier.
- Evacuation: demand named medical evacuation and repatriation benefits with unambiguous limits. Evanuation coverage is viewed by the CDC as an additional, critical element of your insurance toolkit with respect to destinations that offer variable care.
- Outpatient description: outpatient review visit, outpatient diagnostics, and pharmacy benefits Outpatient care is not a surprise bill because it is routine. What is included is shown on the student plan page of APRIL: expert consults, diagnostics, prescriptions, etc.
- Mental health / telemedicine: seek available services with affordable numbers of sessions and 24/7 contact. AXA has Mind Health and Online Doctor; other carriers offer the equivalent.
Pre-departure checklist (copy, paste, and use)
- Insurer 24/7 assistance number saved in your phone and printed on a wallet card.
- Digital ID card and coverage certificate stored offline.
- A shortlist of direct-billing clinics near campus (ask your insurer for their provider list and guarantee-of-payment steps).
- PDF of your plan’s evacuation and claims sections. AXA’s evacuation guide is a useful example of the language to expect.
- Copies of prescriptions (preferably with generic drug names), as the CDC advises for travelers.
Provider-by-provider questions to ask before you pay
- Allianz Care: “Please send the provider list near my campus and explain your Direct Settlement steps for admissions.”
- IMG Global: “What are the waiting periods on Student Health Advantage and is organized sports covered on my tier?”
- Cigna Global: “Can you issue a student certificate and confirm your preferred clinics where I live?”
- Bupa Global: “What’s the annual limit on my tier and how do specialist referrals work?”
- AXA Global Healthcare: “Is Online Doctor and Mind Health included on my plan and what are the evacuation limits?”
- GeoBlue: “What’s my evacuation limit and how does direct pay work outside the U.S. under Navigator?”
- APRIL International: “Can I extend beyond 12 months if my degree runs longer, and what are my outpatient caps?”
- International Student Insurance (ISI): “Which Student Secure tier meets my school’s wording, and is telemedicine included for my location?”
- AXA Mansard: “Which Student Travel variant fits my destination, and what are the inpatient and evacuation benefits if I need treatment abroad?”
- Pacific Prime (broker): “Please compare two plans with evacuation and direct billing in Nigeria, and send the underlying policy wordings.”
Pro Tips:
Nigeria is a study destination worth the preparation.
Choose a plan that pays direct to the private provider where it can, includes medical evacuation and repatriation, 24/7 support, telemedicine and mental-health care, and provides you with a university-ready certificate, day one.
Begin with the ten providers above.
Check with your school that it is okay, copy the local clinic list and save the correct phone numbers. Do those easy steps now–and you will go to school and study with confidence, knowing that you know both routine handling and worst-case scenarios.
Sources:
- FCDO – Health in Nigeria: facility variability and the need for comprehensive insurance including evacuation. GOV.UK
- CDC – Travel health insurance & medical evacuation: why to carry evacuation cover and seek policies that can pay hospitals directly. wwwnc.cdc.gov
- Allianz Care – Direct Settlement: how direct billing/guarantees of payment work for eligible treatment. allianzcare.com
- Cigna Global – International student messaging and global plan flexibility; direct billing presence. Cigna Global+1
- Bupa Global – International plans with direct specialist access on certain tiers. Bupa Global+1
- AXA Global Healthcare – Online Doctor and Mind Health services; evacuation & repatriation guidance. AXA – Global Healthcare+2AXA – Global Healthcare+2
- GeoBlue – Navigator for Students brochure (network, assistance, maxima). GeoBlue Travel InsuranceInternational Student Insurance
- IMG – Student Health Advantage: student plan benefits: mental health, sports, maternity (waits), emergency care. IMG Global
- APRIL International – Student International Health Insurance (1–12 months, hospital/outpatient/diagnostics/prescriptions). APRIL International
- International Student Insurance (ISI) – Student Secure and pricing starting at $29/month. International Student Insurance+1
- AXA Mansard – Student Travel Insurance (certificate accepted worldwide) and International Health Plan (global cover, inpatient & evacuation components). axamansard.com+1
- Cigna & Now Health – examples of direct billing/guarantee-of-payment language you can look for when choosing any plan. Cigna GlobalNow
