Health Ministry: 8% of Nigerians live with diabetes

By Ejire Folakunmi

Dr. Alayo Sopekan, National Coordinator of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has revealed that 8% of Nigeria’s population is currently living with diabetes.

He further noted that 14% of the population is affected by hypertension, while approximately 25% of Nigerians carry the sickle cell gene. Sopekan shared these statistics on Thursday in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, during a workshop focused on public financing and the implementation of the NCD Multi-Sectoral Action Plan. The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development, and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

The coordinator explained that the data was drawn from a recent STEP survey on NCD trends. He emphasized that many Nigerians remain unaware of their health status and urged the public to undergo routine medical screening. According to Sopekan, Nigeria’s response to these diseases is hampered by inadequate funding and limited partner support, despite the burden of NCDs growing faster than that of communicable diseases.

He stressed that early detection and management are critical to slowing disease progression. To improve funding, he called for increased allocations from taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Adding to the discussion, Mr. Muntasir Liman noted that non-communicable diseases now account for about 30% of annual deaths in Nigeria.

Liman identified weak health infrastructure and sociocultural factors as major challenges, calling for a stronger primary healthcare system. Similarly, Prof. Alhassan Emmanuel of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator described the rising death toll as "alarming," noting that NCD-related deaths have surged from one-fifth to one-third of total fatalities.

Experts at the workshop concluded by urging innovative funding strategies and stronger collaboration to reduce the nation's long-term disease burden.