40% of Nigerians live with hypertension, report shows
At least 40 per cent of Nigerian adults live with hypertension, according to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This report, aligned with the National Health Act 2014, highlights hypertension as a persistent public health challenge despite improvements in awareness and screening compared to 2024. Hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, affects 1.28 billion adults globally, with only 20% controlled. In Nigeria, cardiovascular diseases account for a significant share of deaths, with hypertension responsible for up to 80% of stroke cases. While national data shows 30-40% of adults have hypertension, detailed statistics for younger adults (20-35) remain limited. Doctors report increasing cases in younger populations, signaling a shift in patterns. Contributing factors include high salt consumption, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, alcohol, physical inactivity and obesity linked to urbanization. The report notes modest gains in early detection through primary healthcare screening and mental health integration, but warns of gaps in diagnosis and service utilization, particularly among men. It emphasizes the need for sustained investment in preventive services.