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By Tracy Moses
A leading cardiologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Abuja, Prof. Dike Orji, has revealed that approximately 38.1 percent of Nigeria’s adult population suffers from hypertension, describing it as one of the most widespread health challenges in the country.
Speaking during a presentation at the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, Prof. Orji, representing the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance, also highlighted the low levels of awareness, treatment, and control of the condition among Nigerians.
He added that the prevalence of diabetes, another major non-communicable disease, stands at around 5.7 percent of the adult population, with significantly higher rates in urban areas. Most of these cases, he noted, are type 2 diabetes, linked to poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
Citing recent studies, Prof. Orji said nearly 40 percent of Nigerians above the age of 18 are predisposed to hypertension. He urged the Federal Government to create a specific budget line for the treatment of hypertension and other NCDs, while reaffirming its commitment to the Abuja Declaration’s 15 percent health sector funding benchmark, with clear NCD targets included.
Prof. Orji further recommended expanding the coverage of hypertension treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), given the high cost of care. He advocated for the integration of hypertension screening, diagnosis, and treatment into all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide.
He emphasized the importance of releasing funds to complete and publish the NCD STEP survey, strengthening oversight on NCD policy implementation, and establishing a dedicated committee on hypertension and diabetes. He also called for support to relevant ministries and agencies in enforcing regulations on processed foods containing excessive salt, sugar, and harmful trans fats.
Drawing parallels with India’s approach, Prof. Orji called for government support for local production of essential NCD medications, including antihypertensives, and encouraged pooled procurement to bring down medicine costs.
He urged the government to consider redirecting medical mission funds to provide health insurance for constituents, particularly at PHC levels. Additionally, he recommended increasing taxes on sugary beverages and tobacco products, using the revenue to fund NCD control programmes.
As Lead Investigator at the Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Abuja, Prof. Orji revealed that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for a significant share of NCDs in Nigeria, with hypertension being the primary driver. Stroke incidence, he said, is at 29 per 100,000 individuals.
“NCDs, particularly CVDs, are now the leading cause of death and sudden death syndrome among Nigeria’s most productive age group. Around 29 percent of all health-related deaths are linked to NCDs, and 22 percent of Nigerian adults die prematurely due to these diseases,” he said, adding that households spend up to 24 percent of their food budgets on NCD treatment.
“Lawmakers are not exempt from the burden of CVDs, in fact, they are often more at risk than the general population,” he noted.
He detailed the government’s evolving NCD response, from the 1992 health sector plan to the 2013 National Strategic Plan and the recent National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP). The NMSAP targets a 25 percent reduction in hypertension, 80 percent population screening for early diagnosis, and a 30 percent cut in salt consumption.
Programmes such as the Nigeria Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) and the Hearty Health Africa project, active in 19 states, are already making an impact. Notably, in the FCT, hypertension control rates improved from 23 percent to 57 percent after three years of PHC-based interventions.
Prof. Orji concluded by stressing the importance of expanding health insurance, noting that patients with NHIS coverage recorded better blood pressure control and clinic attendance.