Diabetes affects six to seven per cent of Nigerians, representing about 15 million people, says the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON).
EMSON President, Prof. Andrew Uloko, disclosed this on Wednesday at the society’s 47th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja.
The conference was under the theme, ‘Endocrine Practice in Nigeria: Improving Patient Care and Outcomes Through Advocacy.’
Uloko said many Nigerians remained undiagnosed, while diagnosed patients faced barriers to medicines, glucose monitoring, laboratory investigations and specialist care.
He said population growth, ageing, urbanisation, changing diets and physical inactivity were reshaping Nigeria’s endocrine disease landscape.
According to him, these challenges are compounded by poverty, food insecurity and infectious diseases, placing additional pressure on healthcare resources.
Uloko said diabetes affected education, employment, family finances and quality of life, adding that “behind every statistic is a human being”.
“It is the young adult whose diabetes interferes with education and employment; it is the mother struggling to afford insulin.
“It is the older person living with diabetes and kidney disease, and the patient who presents with a preventable complication,” Uloko said.
He said EMSON would advocate affordable endocrine care, stronger collaboration and evidence-based policies while creating opportunities for young endocrinologists.
Prof. Anas Sabir, the keynote speaker, said between 10 million and 15 million Nigerians were living with diabetes.
Sabir put diabetes prevalence at between 5.7 per cent and seven per cent, while identifying late presentation and high treatment costs as major challenges.
“Most patients pay out of pocket. Even the NHIA does not give coverage of everything and, even when it does, it is not very effective,” he said.
Sabir said patients could present with diabetes alongside hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity, complicating Nigeria’s already significant disease burden.
He said Nigeria had fewer than 200 practising endocrinologists, with specialist training concentrated mainly in tertiary hospitals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
Prof. Saad Ahmed, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, said the shortage of endocrinologists remained a major challenge.
Ahmed, represented by Dr Ben Achusin, said FMC Jabi had only two endocrinologists attending to between 40 and 60 patients per clinic.
“I keep wondering, for how long are they going to continue this way?” Ahmed said.
He said the hospital previously had four endocrinologists, but two migrated to the United States, worsening patient waiting times.
Ahmed called for advocacy to encourage medical students and younger doctors to pursue endocrinology and improve access to specialised investigations.
He said some hormonal, biochemical and molecular tests were sent abroad, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
“We need to think out of the box and find novel ways to get diagnosis quickly,” Ahmed said.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, called for stronger advocacy and healthcare access.
Fasawe said the FCT exceeded its Project 10 Million screening target in 2024 and continued blood glucose and blood pressure screening through medical outreaches.
She said the FCTA secured accreditation for Internal Medicine Residency Training in 2023, while the FCT Primary Health Care Board’s 2026 restructuring strengthened disease prevention and surveillance.
Fasawe commended EMSON’s advocacy and research efforts, while decrying inadequate endocrinology personnel across the FCT.
She also announced annual N250,000 awards for two outstanding postgraduate medical graduates.
—-All You Need To Know About Diabetes—-
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. This results in high blood sugar levels, which can damage the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels over time.
There are several types of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2, as well as gestational diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), neonatal diabetes, and steroid-induced diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and usually develops in adults, while type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, can start at any age but often begins in childhood or the teenage years.
Glucose (sugar) mainly comes from carbohydrates in your food and drinks. It’s your body’s go-to source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all your body’s cells to use for energy.
When glucose is in your bloodstream, it needs help — a “key” — to reach its final destination. This key is insulin (a hormone). If your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin or your body isn’t using it properly, glucose builds up in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
Over time, having consistently high blood glucose can cause health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage and eye issues.
What happens?
The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps glucose get into cells for energy. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly, glucose builds up in the blood instead of reaching cells.
- What is the main cause of diabetes?
Overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or have obesity. Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes.
- What are the first signs of being diabetic?
If you have any of the following diabetes symptoms, see your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested:
- Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night.
- Are very thirsty.
- Lose weight without trying.
- Are very hungry.
- Have blurry vision.
- Have numb or tingling hands or feet.
- Feel very tired.
- Have very dry skin.
To manage diabetes, people can:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning?
Drinking enough water is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for people with diabetes. Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
- Which fruit is highest in sugar?
The fruits with the highest sugar content include mangoes, pomegranates, oranges, and pears. If someone has diabetes, they can still have these fruits, but they may wish to ask their doctor if they should eat them in smaller portions.
- Which fruit can reduce sugar?
Berries. Don’t make your trip to the store fruitless. Dad jokes aside, foods like blueberries provide fiber and antioxidants known to lower blood sugar and inflammation. Similarly, one study found strawberries reduced diabetes complications like kidney disease and nerve damage.
- Is banana good for diabetes?
Takeaway. A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.
- Is plantain good for diabetics?
Making sure blood sugar levels don’t go too low or too high is an important goal if you’re living with type 2 diabetes. Foods like plantains that digest slowly have a low glycemic index (GI). A GI under 55 is considered low. Plantains have a GI in the 40s, making them a good food choice if you have diabetes.
