The Federal government of Nigeria and public health experts have sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening hypertension crisis, revealing that only one in ten Nigerians living with the condition receives adequate care.
The concern was raised on Monday at the 25th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS), held in Abuja, where stakeholders called for urgent, coordinated action to address what they described as both a public health emergency and a threat to national development.
Dr. Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, emphasized that hypertension now affects nearly one in every three Nigerian adults.
Represented by her technical adviser, Umaru Tanko, she said the condition’s burden is no longer just a clinical issue but one that endangers productivity, national stability, and economic growth.
She said: “The reality is stark, millions are living with hypertension unknowingly, and for many who are aware, treatment is either inconsistent or inaccessible.
“We are scaling up integration of hypertension care into the primary healthcare system through initiatives such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the forthcoming National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan III.”
She added that over 20 million Nigerians are now enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), improving access to essential services, including hypertension management.
According to her, Government efforts also include expanding local drug production, deploying digital health tools, and strengthening national data systems to support targeted policies.
“Sound health policies must be rooted in strong data and research. Evidence-based action is our best hope for inclusive and sustainable hypertension control,” Dr. Anas said.
NHS President, Professor Simon Isezuo, described hypertension as a silent killer responsible for the majority of stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease cases in the country.
He decried the low awareness rate, noting that fewer than 10% of those living with high blood pressure are properly managing it.
“Most people with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Even among those on medication, many fail to maintain blood pressure control due to irregular treatment, drug costs, and misinformation,” he said.
Isezuo highlighted the Society’s grassroots efforts across all 36 States and the FCT, including routine blood pressure screenings in rural areas through campaigns like World Hypertension Day and May Measurement Month.
He stressed the importance of early detection and consistent care, especially in hard-to-reach communities.
Chairman of the NHS Board of Trustees, Prof. Basten Onwubere, echoed calls for expanding insurance coverage and lowering drug costs through local production of generic antihypertensives.
“The price of medication has soared. We need government-backed solutions to make lifesaving drugs affordable and accessible,” Onwubere said, while also warning against harmful cultural beliefs that deter treatment.
“Some still attribute hypertension to spiritual causes or seek help from traditional healers. Even among the educated, myths persist. Public education must continue to dismantle these misconceptions,” he added.
Dr. Oladipupo Fasan, a consultant nephrologist and NHS Secretary General, underscored the urgent need for a broader, more inclusive approach.
He backed the use of trained community health workers in managing basic hypertension cases, especially in areas where doctors are scarce.
“With the current health workforce shortages and continued emigration of medical professionals, we must embrace task-shifting. Trained non-physician personnel can identify, manage, and refer hypertensive patients effectively,” Fasan explained.
He likened hypertension to the hub of a wheel, with numerous health complications, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, heart attacks, and even erectile dysfunction radiating outward if left uncontrolled.
While experts acknowledged that public awareness has improved, they noted that treatment adherence remains poor.
Many patients begin medication only to abandon it later, often due to cost or lack of understanding of its importance.
Speakers also emphasized preventive strategies, urging Nigerians to reduce salt intake, avoid processed foods, and embrace traditional, low-fat diets.
Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking and active household chores was recommended as a practical, low-cost way to reduce blood pressure risk.
The conference also featured a memorial lecture in honour of founding member Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe and provided a platform for researchers to present recent findings.
Discussions centred on how to improve salt reduction strategies, medication access, and national policy frameworks.
The NHS appealed for increased funding from government, development partners, and philanthropists to sustain its life-saving programs.
“If we can control hypertension, we would have solved nearly 50% of the health problems in Nigeria,” Isezuo concluded.
The Society is also intensifying its membership drive and launching a scientific journal to boost research dissemination.
