Experts raise concern over growing cases of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria

An Associate Professor at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr. Ajibola Arewa, and Dr. Godswill Iboma from Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED), Ojo, have expressed serious concern over the risk factors driving the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among Nigerians.

While identifying lifestyles such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption as significant contributors to NCDs, they noted that sugar consumption has no strong link to NCDs, contrary to popular belief.

They stressed that urgent action must be taken to address this issue in order to prevent these life-threatening diseases and the resulting untimely deaths among Nigerians.

The experts made this assertion at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists, themed: “Rethinking the NCD Crisis: Having a Holistic Approach to the Debate in Nigeria.”

The workshop, organized by the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN), was held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Ikeja.

NCDs are diseases that are not transmissible from person to person. They include cancer, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, and others.

Speaking on the topic titled: “Understanding the Many Factors Behind NCDs,” Dr. Arewa said that although many people assume that sugar-sweetened products such as beverages significantly contribute to NCDs, comparisons with other countries show that Nigeria’s sugar consumption remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.

He added that despite this, the NCD index is rising in Nigeria, suggesting that other underlying factors—such as unhealthy lifestyles, poor dietary choices, and environmental influences—are more likely responsible for the surge.

Citing WHO data, Arewa noted that NCDs accounted for 24% of total deaths in Nigeria in 2011, rising to 29% in 2021—a more than 21% increase in just nine years.

The public health physician also highlighted weak government policies and implementation, poor funding, lack of infrastructure, and low public awareness as contributing factors.

He noted that these issues often manifest in overburdened hospitals, high medical costs, and failure to prevent disease effectively.

“So, the problem of NCDs is not about sugar consumption per se, but about overuse. That is why public enlightenment on healthy lifestyles—including nutrition, proper labeling of products, and physical fitness—is so important,” he stressed.

Dr. Arewa emphasized that finding solutions and proactive stakeholder involvement, including government action, is now more critical than assigning blame.

According to him, there should be increased access to quality healthcare services from primary to tertiary levels, as well as accurate reporting and advocacy for evidence-based policies aimed at reducing NCDs in the country.

In her contribution, public health consultant Dr. Yvonne Olaloku echoed the importance of strong policies in reducing NCDs globally, and emphasized the vital role that evidence-based data plays in forming effective health policies in Nigeria.

According to her, data provides a foundation for effective and impactful policymaking.

“Data—including research findings and other forms of evidence—will greatly help policymakers understand population trends, identify potential solutions, and assess the effectiveness of existing programmes,” she noted.

Olaloku, who spoke on the topic titled: “Ensuring the Use of Evidence-Based Data as a Basis for Shaping Health Policies and Fiscal Interventions,” added that data-driven insights enable policymakers to make informed decisions that can improve health outcomes for Nigerians.

While acknowledging the lack of funding as one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, she argued that policymakers can still prioritize health equity and strengthen health information systems.

“They can also promote research and evidence translation, implement and evaluate policies effectively, while other stakeholders need to collaborate in critical areas,” she stressed.

Delivering his paper titled: “Integrating Lifestyle Modifications and Environmental Factors for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention,” Dr. Iboma cited the European Journal of Internal Medicine (2022), which estimated that by 2030, NCDs will be responsible for approximately 52 million deaths worldwide.

“That is why it is imperative that people adopt and practice simple lifestyle changes through nutritional, physical, psychological, social, environmental, and pharmaceutical interventions,” he noted.

He added that while lifestyle plays a crucial role in health, environmental factors—many of which are beyond individual control—also contribute significantly to the rise in NCDs.

Dr. Iboma emphasized the need for individuals to modify both their lifestyles and environments using proven interventions.

“People should grow green, sleep adequately, reduce salt intake, drink enough water, and maintain a healthy weight, among other habits,” Iboma advised.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE: We’re confident Nigerians will vote Tinubu in 2027 — APC

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of BJAN, Mr. Dan Obi, said the workshop was primarily aimed at enhancing journalists’ knowledge for better reporting on issues surrounding NCDs.

He said such informed reporting would help promote healthier practices among Nigerians, thereby reducing NCD cases and related deaths in the country.

He expressed appreciation to the partnering organizations that helped make the workshop successful and pledged a stronger media focus on NCDs in Nigeria going forward.