Health Crisis Looms: Diabetes Cases Hit 11.4 Million, Association Demands Urgent Government Action
The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on diabetes care, citing an alarming surge in the number of Nigerians affected by the disease and the growing death toll linked to poor management and rising treatment costs.
According to the National President of the association, Professor Ejiofor Ugwu, about 11.4 million Nigerians are currently living with diabetes. He, however, warned that the true figure could be significantly higher, as many people remain undiagnosed due to lack of regular screening and weak health monitoring systems across the country.
Ugwu, in a statement to commemorate the 2025 World Diabetes Day, disclosed that only a third of diagnosed patients in Nigeria currently receive adequate treatment. Even among those on medication, only about one-third achieve good control of their blood sugar levels — an indication of how deeply the crisis has penetrated the nation’s healthcare system.
World Diabetes Day, marked annually on November 14, is a global campaign spearheaded by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and endorsed by the United Nations to promote awareness, prevention, and improved access to care. This year’s theme, “Diabetes and Well-being,” draws attention to the social and economic challenges faced by diabetic patients, as well as the urgent need to make care affordable and accessible.
A Growing Public Health Concern
Professor Ugwu explained that diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease caused by persistently high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which can lead to damage of vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerves. The condition arises from either a deficiency in insulin — a hormone produced by the pancreas — or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively.
He outlined three major types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes, which mostly affects children and adolescents;
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 85% of all global cases and predominantly affects adults; and
Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and can lead to complications for both mother and child.
Ugwu identified poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and obesity as major modifiable risk factors, while age and family history remain non-modifiable contributors.
Globally, he revealed that about 589 million people — approximately one in every ten adults — are living with diabetes, and that number continues to rise rapidly. Each year, an estimated 6.7 million deaths are linked to diabetes-related complications, a figure that surpasses the combined death rates of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Disturbingly, 75% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems are underfunded and preventive care is limited. Most victims are below the age of 60.
The Nigerian Reality
In Nigeria, diabetes ranks among the top 10 killer diseases, yet it receives minimal attention compared to infectious diseases. Professor Ugwu described the current situation as an epidemic that has left millions of families struggling with untold hardship, disabilities, and deaths.
He noted that the country’s fragile healthcare infrastructure, shortage of trained medical personnel, and the rising cost of medications — up by over 500% in the past three years — have made effective management nearly impossible for the average citizen.
“The average monthly cost of managing diabetes now ranges between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000,” Ugwu said, adding that many Nigerians can no longer afford consistent treatment. “As a result, patients are turning to prayers and alternative medicine as their only hope for survival, leading to severe complications and premature deaths.”
The DAN President estimated that diabetes kills at least 30,000 Nigerians every year, placing the country among those with the highest diabetes-related mortality rates globally. Yet, he lamented that there is still no national database or survey to accurately determine the prevalence and impact of the disease.
A Call for Urgent Government Intervention
To address the growing crisis, DAN urged the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive National Diabetes Policy and Strategic Plan that will guide prevention, treatment, and data-driven research.
Ugwu called for immediate government subsidies on essential diabetes medications and consumables, as well as full tax waivers on their importation to reduce costs and improve availability.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency in diabetes care and convene stakeholders to design a workable policy that ensures affordable treatment for all Nigerians,” he said. “This policy should also form part of a broader strategy for non-communicable disease management.”
The endocrinologist further urged the government to revive and expand the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax, which was discontinued in June 2024, and increase it to ₦200 per litre. He emphasized that revenue generated from the tax should be dedicated to funding diabetes and non-communicable disease prevention initiatives.
“Reviving the SSB tax and raising it from ₦10 to ₦200 per litre will help curb excessive sugar consumption and create a steady funding source for diabetes care,” Ugwu stated.
Policy and Healthcare Reforms Needed
The DAN President also recommended that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) be expanded, particularly in rural communities, and made more comprehensive and affordable. He called for the inclusion of blood glucose test strips in the NHIS benefits package to encourage regular testing and monitoring among patients.
He further proposed the creation of a National Diabetes Registry, which would serve as a central database for monitoring prevalence, treatment outcomes, and emerging trends. Strengthening primary healthcare centres to manage uncomplicated diabetes cases was also emphasized as a key step in decentralizing care.
“A National Diabetes Registry is long overdue in Nigeria,” Ugwu stressed. “Accurate and reliable data are critical for planning, funding, and improving health outcomes.”
The Way Forward
Professor Ugwu concluded by highlighting the need for an immediate, well-coordinated national survey on non-communicable diseases to provide the data necessary for informed policymaking and sustainable health interventions.
He warned that failure to act urgently could lead to an even greater public health disaster in the coming years.
“Diabetes is silently destroying lives and draining family resources,” he said. “Without decisive government action, the burden will continue to grow, threatening both national productivity and the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians.”
