122m Nigerians at risk as FG vows to end NTDs by 2030

About 122 million Nigerians are at risk of one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) or another, with many needing preventive chemotherapy for at least one NTD.

However, the federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating NTDs by 2030.

Approximately $18.7 million is required over five years to achieve total elimination of blinding trachoma, ensure that 22 states endemic for Onchocerciasis no longer need treatment, and achieve 62% coverage for morbidity management of Lymphatic Filariasis in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) NTD Roadmap 2030.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing on the forthcoming World NTDs Day.

He stated that over one billion people globally, representing 12.5% of the world population, are affected by NTDs across 149 countries.

He observed that Africa accounts for about half of the global burden, while Nigeria accounts for about 25% of the cases on the continent.

Salako stated that NTDs are both communicable and non-communicable diseases, mostly prevalent among children and women, and are largely associated with poverty, poor sanitation, unsafe water supply, and substandard housing conditions.

The minister observed that the rollout of the ten-year NTDs roadmap for 2021–2030 by WHO sets ambitious targets and innovative approaches to tackle NTDs, providing a blueprint for global elimination.

According to him, the plan promotes an integrated approach to delivering programmes, emphasizing three significant pathways: moving from process to impact measuring for accountability, adopting effective multi-sectoral integrative approaches across NTDs, and promoting country ownership and political commitment for sustainability.

He noted that Nigeria is one of the few endemic countries that have developed and reviewed its NTDs master plan (2023–2027), which is being used as an advocacy tool by stakeholders to achieve the 2030 target.

Salako acknowledged notable global, continental, and national efforts aimed at controlling and eliminating these diseases, with some progress made. He added that 51 countries have so far eliminated at least one of the 21 NTDs, demonstrating that the NTDs agenda is achievable.

The minister noted that Nigeria continues to support efforts to engage with other disease-endemic countries, key stakeholders, and partners in line with the WHO roadmap.

He observed that over recent years, progress has been made in Nigeria, including the eradication of Guinea Worm in 2013, weaning 29 million people off ivermectin treatment in 10 transmission zones (states), elimination of Onchocerciasis in two states (Plateau and Nasarawa), and interruption of transmission in an additional eight states (Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Anambra).

Salako added that about 39.5 million people across 20 states and the FCT no longer require Lymphatic Filariasis treatment, adding that Nigeria has achieved a reduction in trachoma infection prevalence among at-risk populations by 84%.

The minister pointed out that 3.5 million people in 109 endemic LGAs across 17 states no longer require Mass Drug Administration.

He said, “Despite these modest achievements, NTDs are still not at the forefront of our healthcare agenda. Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative offers a robust template to collaborate and engage all stakeholders in our collective resolve to push NTDs out of Nigeria. Also, the decisive step by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Unlock Healthcare Value Chain offers the opportunity to access needed pharmaceuticals and key medical consumables by ramping up local manufacturing.”

President of IDEA-Nigeria, Peter Iorkighir Terver, representing people affected by NTDs, said there has been a stockout of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) medications used for leprosy treatment in Nigeria for over a year, leaving over 3,000 diagnosed individuals, including 800 children, without treatment due to bureaucratic obstacles.

He said, “These delays are not just administrative failures—they are a human rights violation. Bureaucratic bottlenecks, such as additional NAFDAC requirements and permit expirations, continue to block the supply of life-saving medicines. Despite our repeated appeals, no action has been taken. This neglect is reversing Nigeria’s progress in leprosy elimination, increasing disease transmission, and pushing affected individuals further into stigma and suffering.”

Terver urged the federal government to immediately remove regulatory barriers preventing the supply of MDT and stressed that an uninterrupted flow of medications must be guaranteed to prevent further disabilities and suffering.

Country Director of CBM Global Nigeria, Abdulazeez Musa, emphasized that this year’s theme, Act Now. Act Together. Invest in NTDs, is a clarion call for timely action, collaboration, and sustainable investment in NTDs.

He said, “To act together reminds us that no single entity can achieve this alone. It requires the concerted effort of governments, development partners, and communities to invest in NTDs and ensure sustainable funding, innovative solutions, and a commitment to equitable healthcare for all.”