Maiduguri — One in ten Nigerians is living with kidney disease, a staggering figure that has jolted health professionals into action.
The Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) revealed the grim statistics at the close of its 4‑day Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Maiduguri, warning that the country faces a silent epidemic with devastating consequences if urgent measures are not taken.
Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi, NAN’s National President, described the situation as “deeply worrying,” noting that hypertension, diabetes, unsafe drug use, and pesticide‑laden foods are fueling the surge.
“Kidney disease is no longer a marginal issue. It is a national emergency,” he said, stressing that 11% prevalence translates into millions of Nigerians at risk of kidney failure.
The conference, themed “Kidney Health in a Resource‑Limited Environment,” brought together doctors, nurses, traditional rulers, and policymakers to chart a way forward.
Discussions centred on expanding access to dialysis and transplantation, rolling out community‑based screening programmes, and shifting tasks among healthcare workers to widen coverage.
Sustainable financing models were also on the table, as experts warned that treatment costs remain out of reach for many patients.
Awobusuyi highlighted a particularly overlooked dimension: women’s health. He explained that pregnancy‑related kidney disorders, autoimmune diseases, delayed presentation, and financial dependency expose women to poorer outcomes.
“Chronic Kidney Disease in Women is an under‑recognised public health concern. We must commit to gender‑sensitive and inclusive renal care,” he said.
Prof. Ibrahim Ummate, Director of the Kidney Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, underscored the everyday habits driving the crisis — from reliance on herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs to the consumption of foods sprayed with insecticides and pesticides.
He cautioned Nigerians to be vigilant, warning that these practices are silently eroding kidney health.
Beyond the medical front, the conference spotlighted innovation. Experts pointed to digital health solutions, partnerships, and local innovations as tools to expand access to renal care in underserved communities.
The gathering also served as a rallying cry for government support, with participants commending Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for creating an enabling environment for the discussions.
The message was clear: Nigeria cannot afford to ignore kidney disease. Rising prevalence, high treatment costs, and systemic gaps demand urgent reforms. As Awobusuyi put it, “History will judge us not by the statistics we cite, but by the lives we save.”
