The Federal Government has raised serious concern over the devastating impact of hepatitis in Nigeria, revealing that the country loses between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion every year due to the disease’s direct and indirect costs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to mark World Hepatitis Day 2025, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed that over 4,200 Nigerians die annually from liver cancer caused by untreated hepatitis infections.

Represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health, Pate explained that Nigeria ranks third globally in hepatitis burden, with over 20 million people currently living with Hepatitis B and C. Of this figure, 18.2 million are infected with Hepatitis B, while 2.5 million have Hepatitis C.

Even more alarming is the fact that over 90% of infected individuals are unaware of their status, unknowingly spreading the virus.
“Many confuse early symptoms like fever and fatigue with malaria,” the Minister said. “Self-medication often delays diagnosis while the virus silently damages the liver.”

FG Launches Project 365 to Fight Hepatitis

To address the crisis, the Federal Government has launched Project 365 — a year-long, community-level screening and treatment campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting the transmission of Hepatitis B by 2030.

Key steps being taken include:

Increased funding for hepatitis control

A new viral hepatitis elimination fund

Tax incentives to encourage local drug production

Laws to improve access to testing and treatment

Africa CDC and Gowon Back Nigeria’s Response

The Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), both praised Nigeria’s leadership in tackling hepatitis.

“We are hopeful Nigeria will continue to lead in disease elimination,” said Titilola Munkail, Africa CDC’s Technical Officer.

Gowon, represented by Adeyeye Ajayi, called on Nigerians to support awareness, education, and action towards hepatitis elimination by 2030.

Kano State: 1.2 Million Infected, ₦95 Million Released for Maternal Care

In Kano State, over 1.2 million people are currently living with Hepatitis B. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf, announced that ₦95 million has been released to support testing and maternal care through the ‘HepFree Mothers, Healthy Babies’ initiative.

Pregnant women in seven major hospitals are now screened and treated free of charge, and newborns receive free hepatitis vaccines to curb mother-to-child transmission, which accounts for 80% of infections.

Yusuf also revealed that blood transfusions in all Kano hospitals — public and private — now require mandatory hepatitis screening, and an additional ₦135 million is awaiting approval to expand the program.