The everyday choices made by many Nigerians about what they eat, drink, smoke, and consume are posing a serious threat to their health and survival. Highly processed foods, sugary drinks, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and drug abuse are taking a heavy toll on the body, fuelling chronic diseases, damaging vital organs, and contributing to premature deaths. The consequences of these habits are visible in Nigeria's rising burden of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and liver and kidney disorders.
Life-threatening illnesses such as kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension are on the rise in Nigeria. Health experts warn that the increasing consumption of junk foods, alcohol, tobacco, sugary drinks, and illicit drugs is fuelling the public health crisis, which already contributes to nearly one-third of all deaths in the country. These conditions, once considered "diseases of the rich," now cut across all demographics, robbing families of breadwinners, pushing households into poverty, and overwhelming the nation's fragile health system.
According to Prof. Francis Faduyile, past President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the trend of unhealthy lifestyles among young Nigerians is alarming. He blames the trend on drug abuse, unsafe herbal concoctions, and poor lifestyle choices. The widespread availability and misuse of both conventional and herbal drugs are placing vital organs under severe strain. Faduyile warns that every drug taken passes through the kidneys for excretion, and if a drug is harmful to the kidneys, it can cause long-term damage.
The deregulation of herbal medicines has worsened the situation, as many concoctions sold in kiosks and roadside stalls contain unknown and potentially harmful substances. Faduyile explains that all substances consumed pass through two key organs: the liver for metabolism and the kidney for excretion. When these substances are toxic, they can cause irreversible damage. He emphasizes that the liver and kidneys are critical organs that can be severely affected by unhealthy lifestyle choices.
On liver health, Prof. Faduyile notes that hepatitis infections remain the leading cause of liver disease in Nigeria. However, he warns that alcohol and drug abuse, along with toxic herbal preparations, are now triggering earlier onset of liver damage and liver cancer. The combination of hepatitis and exposure to harmful substances can lead to a double injury, causing the liver to succumb faster to damage.
Faduyile also cautions that drug abuse, including tramadol, glue-sniffing, and other illicit substances, is placing dangerous stress on the heart. Many of these drugs are cardiogenic, making the heart work faster and harder. Over time, this can lead to cardiovascular problems and other heart-related issues. The consequences of these unhealthy lifestyle choices are far-reaching and can have devastating effects on individuals and families.
The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria is a major public health concern. Experts warn that the country is dangerously unprepared to fight the NCD epidemic, which is being fuelled by ultra-processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The situation demands urgent attention and action from policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals to address the root causes of these diseases and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Key points
- The increasing consumption of junk foods, alcohol, tobacco, sugary drinks, and illicit drugs is fuelling a public health crisis in Nigeria, contributing to nearly one-third of all deaths in the country.
- Unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diet and substance abuse, are leading to a rise in life-threatening illnesses such as kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension in Nigeria.
- Experts warn that the country is dangerously unprepared to fight the non-communicable disease (NCD) epidemic, which is being fuelled by unhealthy lifestyle choices.
