‘High blood pressure is claiming Nigerian lives quietly’ – Federal Government sounds new warning

The federal government has expressed deep concern over the escalating burden of hypertension in Nigeria, warning that millions of Nigerians may be unknowingly living with the condition as cases of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and sudden deaths continue to rise across the country.

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Health experts and government officials, speaking during the 2026 World Hypertension Day in Abuja, described hypertension as a "silent killer" that must be urgently addressed through regular blood pressure checks, healthier lifestyles, and strict adherence to prescribed medications.

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Dr Malau Toma, head of cardiovascular diseases and tobacco control at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, cautioned Nigerians against stopping their medications once their blood pressure appears stable, emphasizing that such actions can trigger deadly complications.

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He noted that sustained high blood pressure remains one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases globally, urging Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, reduced salt and fat intake, avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

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Dr Toma lamented the widespread myths and misconceptions surrounding hypertension, noting that many Nigerians attribute the condition to spiritual attacks instead of seeking proper medical care, stressing that people must understand that hypertension can be prevented and controlled through proper medical care and healthy living.

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The federal government has rolled out policies, treatment guidelines, and awareness campaigns aimed at improving the detection, prevention, and management of hypertension nationwide, according to Dr Toma.

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Primary healthcare centres across the country are being strengthened to handle uncomplicated hypertension cases and refer severe complications to higher health facilities, as part of the government's efforts to combat the condition.

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Dr Sulaiman Lamurde, Head of the Non-Communicable Disease Unit at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, said the government has intensified efforts to take hypertension screening and treatment closer to communities through revitalised primary healthcare centres.

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Thousands of health facilities across Nigeria have been upgraded under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and World Bank-supported programmes to improve access to care, according to Dr Lamurde.

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He warned that delaying proper treatment often leaves health workers helpless when complications become severe, emphasizing that early diagnosis and treatment remain the best defence against hypertension.

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Dr Lamurde urged Nigerians above the age of 18 to check their blood pressure regularly, describing blood pressure checks as the simplest and most effective tool for detecting hypertension before complications occur.

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He explained that a normal blood pressure should be below 140 over 90 and that blood pressure checks are offered free in government health facilities nationwide.

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Representatives of development partners and civil society organisations called for increased funding and stronger government commitment to tackle hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.

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Onyekachukwu Osabiku, Senior Technical Adviser – Hypertension Control, Resolve To Save Lives, RTSL, said hypertension has become a growing public health emergency requiring the same level of intervention and funding given to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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He disclosed that the Nigerian Hypertension Control Initiative, supported by development partners, is expanding across states with the backing of the Federal Ministry of Health, and called on Nigerians to prioritise routine blood pressure checks.

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Stakeholders at the event demanded the release of more funds for non-communicable disease programmes, warning that failure to invest adequately in prevention and treatment could worsen Nigeria's healthcare burden in the coming years.

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They stressed that combating hypertension requires collaboration across sectors, including education, housing, emergency management, and community development, beyond the health sector alone.

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Participants further urged the government to make hypertension drugs more affordable and accessible, especially at the primary healthcare level, to reduce avoidable deaths linked to the disease.