Nigeria: Despite Cashless Policy, Patients Allege Cash Payments in FCT Hospitals

What the report says

Residents and caregivers in several public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory have alleged that cash-only payments remain common despite Nigeria’s cashless-policy drive. According to a News Agency of Nigeria survey reported by Daily Trust and carried by AllAfrica, the complaints centered on facilities in satellite towns including Kubwa, Bwari, Nyanya, Karu and Kuje, where patients said they were asked to pay cash for cards, laboratory tests, admissions, drugs and other services.

Some of those interviewed alleged that when they did not have cash, they were directed to nearby Point-of-Sale operators or given private account details for transfers. Several also claimed receipts were not consistently issued, raising concerns about record-keeping and accountability. Others, however, told NAN they had not experienced unofficial payment demands at the hospitals they used.

The report said the alleged practice has increased business for PoS operators around hospital premises, with one operator saying patients regularly sought cash for treatment-related expenses. Hospital staff members, speaking anonymously in some cases, also alleged that cash remained the default for many transactions.

Management at Bwari and Kubwa General Hospitals denied knowledge of a diversion scheme and said they had not received formal complaints, while urging affected patients to provide evidence. The Nigeria Customs Service, which runs a hospital in Karu, said it was aware of payment-process concerns and was working to improve electronic payment systems. The issue matters because it touches on access to urgent care, transparency in public spending and the broader implementation of cashless reforms in Nigeria.