In Nigeria, a silent and insidious epidemic is taking hold.
While infectious diseases often grab the headlines, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes are quietly becoming a leading cause of death.
The growing concern surrounding this public health crisis was recently the focus of a workshop convened by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) in collaboration with the country's health editors.
The discussions from this gathering painted a stark picture of the challenges ahead and offered a roadmap for a healthier Nigeria.
The workshop highlighted that NCDs are not just an unfortunate reality, but a multifaceted problem driven by a complex interplay of factors.
On a personal level, our daily choices are at the heart of the issue. Unhealthy diets, a lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are all fuelling the fire.
The experts noted that behavioural changes are crucial, but they are often difficult to make in an environment that presents its set of risks.
Environmental factors, in fact, play a significant role. The air we breathe, the spaces we live in, and the effects of climate change all contribute to the NCD burden.
Pollution, a lack of green spaces for recreation, and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure are all risk factors that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Adding to the complexity is the strained state of Nigeria's health policy and infrastructure.
The workshop pointed to several critical weaknesses: poor policy implementation, an overburdened healthcare system, and a worryingly low doctor-patient ratio.
These systemic issues mean that even when individuals seek care for NCDs, the system is often ill-equipped to provide timely and effective treatment.
However, the workshop was not just about identifying problems; it was about charting a course for a healthier future.
A key recommendation is a renewed focus on public nutrition and fitness education.
The idea is to empower Nigerians with the knowledge to make healthier choices.
Furthermore, the experts stressed the importance of strengthening primary and preventive healthcare to catch NCDs in their earliest stages when they are most manageable.
Beyond individual and systemic changes, the workshop also called for policy-level interventions.
One such recommendation is to create incentives for healthy product formulation, encouraging companies to reduce sugar and other harmful ingredients in their products.
There was also a call to support small businesses, recognising that a stable economy and job creation are linked to improved public health outcomes.
Finally, the role of the media was underscored as a powerful tool for change.
Journalists were urged to move beyond just reporting on health crises and to take on the role of advocates, to report accurately and responsibly, championing evidence-based policies and driving a national conversation that can foster lasting behavioural change.
The message from the workshop was clear: tackling Nigeria's NCD crisis requires a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach that involves everyone from policymakers to media professionals to individual citizens.
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