Scholar urges mandatory national walking policy to reduce Nigeria’s healthcare costs

PROF. Tajudeen Yusuf of the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, University of Lagos, has called on the Federal Government to legislate mandatory walking for Nigerians, noting that it could significantly reduce the nation’s healthcare expenditure.

He made the call on Sunday, November 30, during the 2025 Walk for Life, Peace and Unity, an annual health awareness event organised by the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) to promote physical and mental well-being, unity and peaceful coexistence.

The event, which lasted two hours and 20 minutes, began around 7 am at LASPARK Gardens, Jibowu, proceeded to Maryland Roundabout and returned to the starting point.

Participants engaged in a brisk walk while chanting adhkar (words of remembrance) and raising awareness with messages such as ‘Walk for Life, Work for Peace and Unity’, highlighting the spiritual, health and communal significance of the exercise.

Prof. Yusuf described walking as a simple yet powerful habit that boosts physical health, reduces economic strain and contributes to national well-being.

“If the Nigerian government can legislate mandatory walking for citizens, I assure you it will drastically cut down our budget on curative medicine. Prevention is better than cure. Walking helps prevent all kinds of illnesses.

“Walking helps prevent avoidable diseases and cuts down on healthcare spending. Personally, walking is my lifestyle. I can’t remember the last time I visited a hospital or even used paracetamol,” he said.

The don also highlighted the spiritual value of walking and regular exercise, explaining that it is embedded in Islamic acts of worship.

According to him, “Salat, as designed by Allah, strengthens the body. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said a strong believer is more beloved to Allah than a weak one. He also taught that each step taken to the masjid wipes away a sin and raises one’s rank before Allah.”

While commending HCFI for organising the exercise, Prof. Yusuf noted that walking should not be limited to an annual event but adopted as a consistent lifestyle.

“I must commend the initiator for assembling us every year. It’s laudable. However, walking like this shouldn’t be an annual event. At the very least, it should be weekly,” he said.

Prof. Yusuf encouraged Nigerians to integrate walking into their daily routines, such as using staircases instead of elevators and walking to more distant mosques to increase spiritual reward.

“Allah created our bodies to move. He is Ever-Working, Ever-Controlling, and commands us to walk through the earth. Regular walking improves all body systems, saves fuel and lowers medical expenses,” he noted.

Quoting the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he reiterated that each step to the masjid erases sins and elevates one’s status with Allah, strengthening both physical and spiritual well-being.

“Even our women should adopt walking. It saves lives, boosts energy and keeps the body functioning well. The Ummah of Islam is a moving Ummah, not a stagnant one,” he stated.

The annual event was attended by representatives of notable organisations in Nigeria, including The Muslim Congress (TMC), Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria, IMAN, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women), Albaraka Microfinance Bank, as well as members of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) from UNILAG and YABATECH.