The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria incurs losses ranging between N13.3tn and N17.9tn annually in direct and indirect costs linked to hepatitis infections.
It also revealed that approximately 4,252 Nigerians die each year from liver cancer, a condition frequently resulting from untreated hepatitis.
This was stated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday to mark World Hepatitis Day 2025, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down.”
Represented by the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Godwin Ntadom, Pate said the nation currently faces the third-highest global burden of hepatitis, with over 20 million Nigerians living with the disease.
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“The nation faces an overwhelming burden, with over 20 million people living with Hepatitis B and C: 18.2 million affected by Hepatitis B, and 2.5 million by Hepatitis C,” he stated.
According to the minister, over 8.1 per cent of Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis B, but more than 90 per cent remain undiagnosed, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.
“Symptoms are often mistaken for malaria – fever, fatigue, and general body weakness. In such cases, people self-medicate while the virus progresses silently, leading to liver failure or cancer,” he said.
He added, “Tragically, 4,252 Nigerians die every year from liver cancer resulting from untreated hepatitis. The socioeconomic impact is immense, costing Nigeria between N13.3tn and N17.9tn each year.”
To address the crisis, the Federal Government announced the launch of Project 365, a nationwide, year-long initiative focused on screening, diagnosis, and treatment at the constituency level.
The project aims to eliminate Hepatitis C and significantly reduce Hepatitis B transmission in Nigeria by 2030 through free access to testing and care.
Additional measures unveiled include a viral elimination fund, tax incentives for pharmaceutical companies, streamlined regulatory approvals for hepatitis-related commodities, and legislation to increase diagnostic and treatment accessibility.
In a goodwill message, the Africa CDC National Coordinator, Dr Oluyinka Olayemi, reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to Nigeria’s health interventions and praised the initiative.
Represented by Titilola Munkail, a Technical Officer at Africa CDC, Olayemi said, “We are hopeful Nigeria will continue to lead in disease elimination, setting a strong example for other African nations.”
Africa CDC also acknowledged the contribution of stakeholders, community groups, and partners involved in combating hepatitis in the country.
Former Head of State and Nigeria’s Presidential Ambassador on Viral Hepatitis Control, General Yakubu Gowon, commended the ministry, WHO, and all involved in the national hepatitis response.
Gowon, represented by Adeyeye Ajayi, called for continued unity in overcoming stigma, misinformation, and barriers to access.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. I urge everyone to raise awareness and support education campaigns,” Gowon said.
Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, noted that Project 365 is being implemented in collaboration with the National Assembly.
Bashorun highlighted the need for community mobilisation through media, advocacy, and educational initiatives to counter Hepatitis B and C, which are primarily transmitted through sex and blood contact.
“You have to be faithful and use condoms. Hepatitis B and C transmission patterns are similar to those of HIV. Preventive action is critical,” he advised.
Bashorun explained that while Hepatitis C is curable, Hepatitis B is not, although treatment exists to manage its progression after a full diagnostic assessment.
In Kano State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Yusuf, said over 1.2 million residents are living with Hepatitis B, marking one of the highest infection rates in the country.
He announced that the state government had released N95m for the purchase of rapid test kits and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate to prevent mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
“This intervention, called ‘HepFree Mothers, Healthy Babies,’ was launched in February and provides free screening and treatment for pregnant women in seven hospitals,” he stated.
Dr Yusuf said hepatitis vaccines are now administered to newborns in labour wards, as mother-to-child transmission accounts for around 80 per cent of new infections.
An additional N135m is awaiting approval to scale the programme across the state, the commissioner revealed.
He further disclosed that all public and private hospitals in Kano now conduct hepatitis screening on blood donors before transfusion.
Dr Yusuf appealed to development partners, private organisations, and the media to assist in awareness, funding, and advocacy for the state’s hepatitis elimination efforts.
“With collective effort, we can eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat in Kano and across Nigeria,” he concluded.
