‘Hypertension is killing Nigerians silently’ – FG raises fresh alarm

…warns against abandoning drugs, traditional remedies

By Joseph Erunke

The federal government on Friday raised serious concern over the rising burden of hypertension in Nigeria, warning that millions of Nigerians may be living with the deadly condition unknowingly as cases of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and sudden deaths continue to increase across the country.

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

The head of cardiovascular diseases and tobacco control at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Malau Toma, warned Nigerians against abandoning their medications once their blood pressure appears stable, stressing that such actions often trigger deadly complications.

“Hypertension is a silent killer. Many people stop taking their drugs once their blood pressure becomes controlled, and that is dangerous. Once medication is abandoned, the blood pressure rebounds and complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and blindness can set in,” he warned.

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

The health expert lamented the widespread myths and misconceptions surrounding hypertension, noting that many Nigerians still attribute the condition to spiritual attacks instead of seeking proper medical care.

“Some people believe somebody is spiritually responsible for their hypertension, which is not true. People must understand that this condition can be prevented and controlled through proper medical care and healthy living,” he said.

Dr Toma disclosed that the federal government had rolled out policies, treatment guidelines and awareness campaigns aimed at improving the detection, prevention and management of hypertension nationwide.

According to him, primary healthcare centres across the country are being strengthened to handle uncomplicated hypertension cases and refer severe complications to higher health facilities.

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

He revealed that thousands of health facilities across Nigeria had been upgraded under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and World Bank-supported programmes to improve access to care.

“Our primary healthcare centres are now better equipped to manage uncomplicated hypertension cases. Awareness is increasing, but we still need Nigerians to make use of these facilities instead of relying on traditional remedies or prayer houses when serious symptoms develop,” he said.

He warned that delaying proper treatment often leaves health workers helpless when complications become severe.

“We should stop sitting at home, visiting herbalists or relying solely on spiritual interventions while the disease worsens. Early diagnosis and treatment remain the best defence,” he stressed.

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

“Every adult should check their blood pressure regularly. For those above 50 or with a family history of hypertension, it should be done more frequently. A normal blood pressure should be below 140 over 90,” he explained.

He added that BP checks are offered free in government health facilities nationwide.

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

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

“We want to see hypertension programmes treated with the same seriousness as HIV and malaria. We need sustainable funding for screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care,” he said.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Hypertension Control Initiative, supported by development partners, was already expanding across states with the backing of the Federal Ministry of Health.

He called on Nigerians to prioritise routine blood pressure checks, noting that hypertension can be controlled effectively if detected early.

Stakeholders at the event also 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.

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

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.

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