How Much Does Therapy Cost in Nigeria? (2025)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Wondering how much therapy costs in Nigeria in 2025? This guide breaks down session fees by provider and region—from Lagos to Kano—plus what insurance covers, where to find public or NGO support, and smart ways to save on care.
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This 2025 guide provides a detailed breakdown of therapy costs across Nigeria, exploring variations by provider type, major cities, and insurance coverage, along with practical tips for finding affordable mental health care.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Regional Cost Variations
- Insurance Coverage
- Public Sector Mental Health Services
- NGO Mental Health Services
- Online Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Average therapy cost range: ₦15,000-₦57,500 per session.
- Psychiatrist consultation: ₦25,000-₦80,500 initial, ₦15,000-₦57,500 follow-up.
- Health insurance coverage: Limited, typically only for inpatient psychiatric care.
- Public hospital services: ₦2,000-₦17,250 per consultation.
- Telehealth options: ₦10,000-₦46,000 per session.
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Credentials | Average Cost Range | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | MBBS, FMCPsych | ₦25,000-₦80,500 initial, ₦15,000-₦57,500 follow-up | Limited coverage |
| Clinical Psychologist | PhD/MSc Clinical Psychology | ₦20,000-₦57,500 | Rarely covered |
| Counselling Psychologist | MSc Counselling Psychology | ₦15,000-₦46,000 | Not typically covered |
| Mental Health Nurse | RN with psychiatric specialisation | ₦10,000-₦28,750 | Not typically covered |
| Social Worker | BSW/MSW with mental health focus | ₦10,000-₦28,750 | Not typically covered |
| Counsellor | Various certifications | ₦10,000-₦34,500 | Not typically covered |
Regional Cost Variations
Lagos (Higher Cost)
- Victoria Island/Ikoyi: ₦30,000-₦80,500 per session.
- Lekki: ₦25,000-₦69,000 per session.
- Ikeja/Surulere: ₦20,000-₦51,750 per session.
- Mainland areas: ₦15,000-₦40,250 per session.
- Satellite towns: ₦10,000-₦28,750 per session.
Abuja (Higher Cost)
- Central Business District: ₦25,000-₦69,000 per session.
- Maitama/Asokoro: ₦25,000-₦69,000 per session.
- Wuse/Garki: ₦20,000-₦51,750 per session.
- Satellite towns: ₦15,000-₦34,500 per session.
- Outskirts: ₦10,000-₦28,750 per session.
Other Major Cities (Mid-Range Cost)
- Port Harcourt: ₦15,000-₦46,000 per session.
- Ibadan: ₦10,000-₦34,500 per session.
- Kano: ₦10,000-₦34,500 per session.
- Enugu: ₦10,000-₦34,500 per session.
- Benin City: ₦10,000-₦28,750 per session.
Smaller Cities/Rural Areas (Lower Cost)
- State capitals: ₦8,000-₦28,750 per session.
- Smaller cities: ₦5,000-₦23,000 per session.
- Rural areas: Limited availability, ₦5,000-₦17,250 where available.
- Telehealth services: ₦10,000-₦46,000 regardless of location.
- NGO services: ₦3,000-₦17,250 sliding scale where available.
Insurance Coverage
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
- Mental health coverage: Limited primarily to inpatient psychiatric care.
- Outpatient mental health: Minimal coverage, typically only for severe conditions.
- Medication coverage: Basic psychiatric medications at NHIS-accredited facilities.
- Provider restrictions: Limited to NHIS-accredited facilities.
- Therapy sessions: Generally not covered.
Private Health Insurance
- Major insurers: Hygeia, Avon, Axa Mansard, Reliance, Total Health Trust.
- Premium plans: May cover 3-10 therapy sessions annually.
- Standard plans: Often limited to psychiatrist consultations only.
- Coverage limits: Typically ₦50,000-₦345,000 annual sublimit for mental health.
- Pre-existing conditions: Often excluded or have waiting periods of 1-2 years.
HMO Considerations
- Provider networks: Limited mental health specialists in most networks.
- Authorisation requirements: Pre-approval often needed for mental health services.
- Coverage restrictions: Many plans exclude psychological testing and therapy.
- Documentation requirements: Detailed medical necessity documentation.
- Out-of-network options: Significantly reduced or no coverage.
Public Sector Mental Health Services
Federal Teaching Hospitals
- Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals: ₦5,000-₦17,250 per consultation.
- University Teaching Hospitals: ₦3,000-₦13,800 per consultation.
- Federal Medical Centres: ₦3,000-₦11,500 per consultation.
- Waiting times: Often 3-6 hours for walk-in consultations, 2-8 weeks for appointments.
- Medication costs: Additional ₦5,000-₦23,000 monthly for psychiatric medications.
State Hospitals
- State Teaching Hospitals: ₦3,000-₦11,500 per consultation.
- State General Hospitals: ₦2,000-₦9,200 per consultation.
- Primary Healthcare Centres: ₦1,000-₦5,750 where mental health services available.
- Service limitations: Often focused on medication management rather than therapy.
- Staff shortages: Limited number of mental health specialists.
University Services
- University medical centres: ₦5,000-₦17,250 per session.
- University counselling centres: ₦3,000-₦11,500 per session.
- Student services: Free or reduced cost for enrolled students.
- Training clinics: Services by supervised psychology students at reduced rates.
- Research programmes: Occasional free treatment as part of studies.
NGO Mental Health Services
Mental Health NGOs
- Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI): Free crisis support, referrals to affordable care.
- She Writes Woman: Support groups and subsidised therapy.
- Sunshine Series: Reduced-fee services.
- Mandate Health: Mental health education and subsidised care.
- The Nous Organisation: Community mental health initiatives.
Faith-Based Organisations
- Church counselling services: Often free or donation-based.
- Islamic counselling centres: Free or minimal cost.
- Faith-based hospitals: Subsidised rates (₦3,000-₦17,250).
- Religious support groups: Free peer support.
- Pastoral counselling: Free through religious institutions.
International Organisations
- MSF/Doctors Without Borders: Free services in conflict-affected areas.
- WHO-supported programmes: Free or minimal cost in select locations.
- UNICEF mental health initiatives: Free services for children in vulnerable communities.
- International NGO partnerships: Subsidised services in specific regions.
- Diaspora-funded initiatives: Periodic free services.
Online Therapy Options
Nigerian Telehealth Platforms
- Mentally Yours: ₦15,000-₦40,250 per session.
- Therapy by Tolu: ₦15,000-₦46,000 per session.
- WellNewMe: ₦12,000-₦34,500 per session.
- Tremendoc: ₦10,000-₦28,750 per session.
- Text-based therapy: ₦8,000-₦23,000 per week.
International Platforms
- BetterHelp: $65-$104 (₦50,000-₦80,500) per week.
- Talkspace: $65-$115 (₦50,000-₦88,550) per week.
- Regional African platforms: ₦15,000-₦46,000 per session.
- Subscription models: Weekly or monthly packages at reduced per-session rates.
- Expatriate services: $80-$173 (₦62,000-₦133,400) per session.
Telehealth Advantages
- Accessibility: Available in areas with limited in-person options.
- Convenience: No travel time or costs.
- Affordability: Sometimes less expensive than in-person options.
- Anonymity: Greater privacy for those concerned about stigma.
- Flexible scheduling: Often available outside standard business hours.
Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
Provider Factors
- Qualifications: Foreign degrees and international certifications command higher fees.
- Experience: Senior practitioners with 10+ years charge premium rates.
- Specialisations: Expertise in specific areas often costs more.
- Practice setting: Private clinics vs. hospital-affiliated practices.
- Expatriate therapists: Foreign therapists typically charge higher rates.
Geographic Factors
- City tier: Significant price differences between Lagos/Abuja and other cities.
- Neighbourhood: Premium locations within cities charge more.
- Facility costs: Overhead expenses passed on to clients.
- Competition: Areas with fewer mental health professionals have higher rates.
- Expatriate communities: Higher rates in areas with international residents.
Session Factors
- Session duration: Standard 45-60 minutes vs. extended sessions.
- Assessment sessions: Initial consultations often cost 30-50% more.
- Psychological testing: Additional fees for assessments (₦30,000-₦172,500).
- Report preparation: Extra charges for documentation (₦15,000-₦57,500).
- Couples/family therapy: Often charged at higher rates (₦25,000-₦80,500).
Affordable Therapy Options
Sliding Scale Providers
- Community-based practitioners: Therapists offering income-based rates.
- Early career professionals: Recently qualified therapists charge lower rates.
- NGO-affiliated therapists: Subsidised services through organisations.
- University services: Psychology departments with training clinics.
- Pro bono sessions: Some therapists reserve slots for low-income clients.
Group Therapy Options
- Support groups: ₦3,000-₦11,500 per session.
- Therapy groups: ₦5,000-₦17,250 per session.
- Specialised groups: For specific conditions or populations.
- Workshop format: Psychoeducational groups at lower per-person cost.
- Community-based groups: Often facilitated by NGOs at minimal cost.
Alternative Resources
- Helplines: Free crisis support (MANI, Suicide Research Prevention Initiative).
- Peer support networks: Free community-based support.
- Religious counselling: Free through churches, mosques, and temples.
- Workplace EAPs: Some multinational companies offer employee assistance programmes.
- Mental health apps: Free to ₦5,750 monthly subscription.
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
Provider Selection Strategies
- Ask about sliding scale: Many therapists adjust fees based on income.
- Consider trainee therapists: Supervised by experienced professionals.
- Explore group therapy: More affordable than individual sessions.
- Negotiate session frequency: Bi-weekly or monthly rather than weekly.
- Seek referrals: Ask primary care doctors for affordable options.
Insurance Strategies
- Check NHIS benefits: Some facilities offer covered services.
- Verify private insurance coverage: Understand mental health benefits.
- Consider HMO options: Some offer better mental health coverage.
- Request proper coding: Ensure services are billed correctly.
- Appeal denials: Challenge insurance rejections when appropriate.
Alternative Approaches
- University research programmes: Free treatment as part of studies.
- NGO services: Organisations offering free/subsidised care.
- Workplace programmes: Check if your employer offers counselling benefits.
- Community outreach: Periodic free services by hospitals/NGOs.
- Digital mental health tools: Apps and online resources as supplements.
Sources
- Nigerian Medical Association. (2025). "Healthcare Provider Fee Guidelines."
- Nigerian Psychological Association. (2025). "Mental Health Services Survey."
- National Health Insurance Scheme. (2024). "Benefits Package and Coverage Limits."
- Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative. (2025). "Mental Healthcare Access Report: Nigeria."
- Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria. (2025). "Mental Health Services Directory."
Note: Prices are current as of May 25, 2025 but may change. Always verify costs directly with providers before beginning treatment.
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Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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