The federal government has reaffirmed that private sector–led health initiatives remain central to tackling Nigeria’s rapidly rising burden of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, conditions now undermining productivity and overwhelming households across the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the 9th Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium on Thursday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, warned that the surge in non-communicable diseases is both a medical and economic emergency.
He said global evidence shows non-communicable diseases now account for 75 percent of non-pandemic-related deaths worldwide, a trend already reflected in Nigeria’s health indicators.
Represented by Dr Ahmed Mohammad, the Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry, Pate said turning the tide requires a combination of government reforms and strong private-sector innovation.
He noted that while Nigeria continues to fight infectious diseases, non-communicable conditions are “taking centre stage globally,” with hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease driving widespread disability, financial hardship, and premature mortality.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, he said non-communicable diseases cause an estimated 43 million deaths globally each year, including 19 million from cardiovascular diseases and 10 million from cancer.
He added that 82 percent of premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring why Nigeria must act urgently.
By 2018, he said non-communicable diseases accounted for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for the largest share.
Pate said the government is prioritising prevention as the country’s most effective line of defence, paired with stronger diagnostics, improved primary health care, and local manufacturing of essential health tools.
He outlined active national policies, including updated hypertension and diabetes treatment guidelines, the National Tobacco Control Act, the National Alcohol Policy, sodium reduction guidelines, and fiscal measures discouraging harmful consumption.
He said public awareness campaigns encouraging Nigerians to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol regularly are also being expanded nationwide.
Commending the Limi Cardiovascular and Multi-Specialty Hospital for hosting the symposium, Pate stressed the importance of deeper public-private collaboration.
“The role of the private health sector is pivotal. And together, we will continue to jointly build a health care and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
Consultant physician and cardiologist, Dr. Mariam Inuwa of Cardiocare Multispecialty Hospital, said the symposium was organised to bridge critical knowledge gaps within the health workforce.
“We want to reach out to the nurses, the doctors, anybody in the healthcare system. We want to let them understand what hypertension is all about, what diabetes is all about, and heart diseases,” she said.
She lamented that too many Nigerians remain unaware of their health status, and even those diagnosed often struggle to access proper care.
“A lot of people don’t know their numbers… Even those who know how to get good care, how to be investigated properly, and be on the right medications, knowing how to manage them is another thing,” she said.
She warned that uncontrolled hypertension can result in stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease, conditions that are difficult and expensive to treat.
She urged Nigerians to prioritise prevention, saying, “Let’s control hypertension. Let’s control diabetes. Let’s control cholesterol. Let’s have a good lifestyle, diet, lifestyle modification, and exercise.
Dr. Inuwa also noted that several advanced cardiovascular procedures Nigerians often travel abroad for, such as coronary angiography, device implantation, and interventions for peripheral arterial disease, are now available locally.
“You don’t have to travel outside the country to get these procedures done,” she said.
She called for more financial support for indigent patients, noting that medical missions and philanthropists have helped fund many life-saving surgeries. “We need more help, especially for those who really can’t afford it,” she said.
Chief Executive of the Limi Hospital Group and consultant interventional cardiologist, Dr. Iseko Iseko, said Nigeria’s life expectancy will not improve without decisive action on cardiovascular disease.
“Nigeria currently sits at the lower rungs of the ladder in terms of life expectancy worldwide. But this can change because cardiovascular disease plays a very big role,” he noted.
He described the symposium as the largest medical gathering of its kind in Nigeria, saying, “It gathers over 1,000 healthcare workers who are committed to the healthcare of Nigerians, especially in cardiovascular health. This year, we are looking at hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Dr. Iseko added that the symposium equips health workers with critical life-saving skills, from improved diagnosis to advanced cardiac life support.
He said Nigeria must adopt global best practices adapted to local realities. “We are trying to make what is happening globally… local, easy to access,” he said.
He stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of income or location, must be able to access timely cardiovascular care.
“We want to see that for the common man around the village, if they have a heart attack, they can get diagnosed, they can get care, and they can get access to the highest level of care,” he said.
