At least 40 per cent (representing four in every 10) of Nigerian adults live with hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, highlighting the growing burden of the non-communicable disease (NCD) in the country.
This statistics is derived from the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in line with the National Health Act 2014.
The report which highlights the persistent public health challenge posed by high blood pressure, noted that although the prevalence of high blood pressure remained high, awareness of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases improved in 2025 compared with 2024.
It attributed this to intensified advocacy by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and professional health bodies, stressing that there has been some progress in awareness, screening and prevention efforts.
The report pointed out that the inclusion of non-communicable disease screening within selected primary healthcare facilities and community outreach programmes contributed to incremental gains in the early detection of hypertension and diabetes particularly among men aged between 15 years and 59 years.
Hypertension is called a “silent killer” because the condition seldom presents symptoms until serious complications set in. It remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
Doctors have been reporting increasing cases of hypertension in younger adults, signalling a shift in the pattern. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023-2024, also confirm that approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent of adults are living with high blood pressure.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 1.28 billion adults, aged 30-79 live with hypertension globally, with only one in five having it under control either through medication or addressing modifiable health risks.
The global health body also estimates that two-thirds of hypertensive adults live in low- and middle-income countries, where preventive screening and treatment remain limited.
The latest State of Health report shows that while the prevalence of hypertension remains high, awareness of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases improved in 2025 compared with 2024.
The report attributed the improvement partly to intensified public health campaigns led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and professional health bodies.
These campaigns focused on educating Nigerians about the risks associated with high blood pressure and encouraging routine health checks.
