REVIEW ARTICLES

Prevalence Of Non-Communicable Diseases In Nigeria;

A Nine Year Systematic Review
Abdulshahid Sarki 1
Tessy Theodore 2
Izu Edesiri Godswill 3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Fatima Mana Babangida 3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Taofiqat Ikeoluwa Alabi 4
Kallah Patience Asa 5
Opeyemi Abolarin 6
Oluwatomi V. Adara 7
Hamza Bello 8
Samaila Muhammad 9

1National Hospital Abuja

2KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria

3Federal Ministry of Health

4Ahamadu Bello University , zaria

5Federal Medical Center Jalingo

6Geospacial Analytics Technology

7Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

8University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

9Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital

Published: July 31, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, Non-Communicable Diseases are responsible for 41 million Deaths each year, which contribute to 74% of all death. Furthermore, 17 million people die before they reach age 70, and 86% of these premature deaths occurs in low to middle income countries like Nigeria. This Systematic review aimed at studying the status of Non-communicable disease in Nigeria, a nine year review, from January 2015 to December 2024.

Materials and Methods: A relevant studies via systematic searched of PubMed and Google scholar using the terms prevalence, non-communicable diseases and Nigeria. The search was limited to studies published between January 1st, 2015 and December 1st, 2024.

Results: The total sample size of all studies included in the meta-analysis was 138,818 subjects. The overall prevalence of non-communicable disease in the Nigeria was estimated to be 12.9 % (95 % CI: 9.3 % - 17.6 %). The subgroup analysis illustrated that the highest prevalence rate of non-communicable disease in Nigeria was related to the south-south zone with 19.3 % (95% CI: 1.0 – 33.9%), followed by south west 18.3% (95% CI: 1.22 – 26.7%) , north west 11.0%(95% CI: 5.4 – 21.1%), south east 8.4% (95% CI: 3.3 – 19.9%), north central 4.5% (95% CI: 1.9 – 10.2%) and north east 1.1% (95% CI: 1.0 – 1.3%).

Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of Non-communicable disease in our study was found to be 12.9%, with South-south having the highest prevalence of 19.3% and while the North-east having the least prevalence of 1.1%, which underscores the surge of Non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

database

Data Availability

Not yet , until after publication

Author Biographies

AS

Abdulshahid Sarki

National Hospital Abuja

Department Of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Abuja.

TT

Tessy Theodore

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria

IG

Izu Edesiri Godswill

Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health

B

Fatima Mana Babangida

Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health

TA

Taofiqat Ikeoluwa Alabi

Ahamadu Bello University , zaria

A

Kallah Patience Asa

Federal Medical Center Jalingo

OA

Opeyemi Abolarin

Geospacial Analytics Technology

OA

Oluwatomi V. Adara

Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

HB

Hamza Bello

University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

SM

Samaila Muhammad

Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital

menu_book References

  1. Federal Ministry of Health. National Demographic and Health Survey Final Report. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Health; 2008.
  2. World Health Organization. Non-communicable diseases. WHO. 2017. Available from: https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs355/en/
  3. Global Burden of Disease Health Financing Collaborator Network. Evolution and patterns of global health financing 1995-2014: development assistance for health, and government, prepaid private, and out-of-pocket health spending in 184 countries. Lancet. 2017;389(10083):1981-2004.
  4. Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network. Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) Results. Seattle: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation; 2020. Available from: https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
  5. Gomez-Gonzalez JE, Reyes NR. Pattern of global health financing and potential future spending on health. Lancet. 2017;389(10083):1955-1956.
  6. World Health Organization. Non-communicable diseases country profiles 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018.
  7. GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators. Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396:1223-1249.
  8. World Health Organization. Global health estimates: Leading causes of DALYs. WHO. 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/global-health-estimates-leading-causes-of-dalys
  9. GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators. Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet. 2016;388(10053):1459-1544.
  10. Ogah OS, Stewart S, Falase AO, Akinyemi JO, Adegbite GD, Alabi AA, et al. Contemporary profile of acute heart failure in southern Nigeria: data from Abeokuta Heart Failure Clinical Registry. JACC Heart Fail. 2014;2:250-259.
  11. Kankeu HT, Saksena P, Xu K, Evans DB. The Financial burden from Non-communicable diseases in low-and middle-income countries: a literature review. Health Res Policy Syst. 2013;11:31.
  12. Skirbekk V, Loichinger E, Weber D. Variation in cognitive functioning as a refined approach to comparing aging across countries. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(3):770-774.
  13. World Economic Forum. From burden to "best buys": reducing the economic impact of non-communicable diseases in low-and middle income countries. Geneva: The Forum; 2011.
  14. Uloko AE, Musa BM, Ramalan MA, Gezawa ID, Puepet FH, Uloko AT, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(3):1307-1316.
  15. Ozoh OB, Adebiyi SA, Ayuk AC, Desalu OO, Oridota OE, Olufemi O, et al. The prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Nigeria: A nationwide survey among children, adolescents and adults. PLoS One. 2019;14(9):e0222281.
  16. Kadiri S, Odubanjo MO, Oluwasola AO. The epidemiology of end-stage renal disease in Nigeria: the way forward. Int Urol Nephrol. 2011;43:785-792.
  17. Omoleke SA. Chronic non-communicable disease as a new epidemic in Africa: focus on the Gambia. Pan Afr Med J. 2013;14:87.
  18. Gureje O, Lasebikan VO. Lifetime and 12-month Prevalence of Mental Disorders In the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. Br J Psychiatry. 2006;188:465-471.
  19. Miranda JJ, Patel V. Achieving the MDGs: Does Mental Health Play a Role? PLoS Med. 2005;2(10):e291.
  20. Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, et al. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4:1.
  21. Ndwandwe DE, Runeyi S, Pienaar E, Mathebula L, Hohlfeld A, Wiysonge CS. Practices and trends in clinical trial registration in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR): a descriptive analysis of registration data. BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e057474.
  22. Booth A, Clarke M, Dooley G, Ghersi D, Moher D, Petticrew M, et al. The nuts and bolts of PROSPERO: An international prospective register of systematic reviews. Syst Rev. 2012;1:2.
  23. Raimi TH, Odusan O, Fasanmade O. High prevalence of central obesity in rural South-Western Nigeria: Need for targeted prevention. J Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015;6(3):12-18.
  24. Adetola AB, Ani I, Matthew JE, Abodunde GB. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes among patients attending outpatient clinic at a tertiary health institution in Southwestern Nigeria. Niger J Cardiol. 2021;18(2):51-56.
  25. Oyan B, Ndu-Akinla C. Sociodemographic determinants of overweight and obesity in adults attending a tertiary hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria. Niger J Med. 2023;32(3):280-287.
  26. Nkemdilim IU, Ezeala-Adikaibe BA, Donatus OO, Innocent O, Ernest N, Nkeiruka M, et al. Obesity in Patients with Hypertension Attending a Medical Outpatient Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2021;20(2):84-91.
  27. Njideka U, Ogah O, Adebayo R, et al. Prevalence of hypertension and blood pressure profile among urban-dwelling adults in Nigeria: a comparative analysis based on recent guideline recommendation. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2019;25(7).
  28. Ajayi I, Dada A, Adebayo A. Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among residents of Ibadan-North local government area of Nigeria. Niger J Clin Immunol. 2016;3(1):67-75.
  29. Owolabi AO, Owolabi MO, OlaOlorun AD, Amole IO. Hypertension prevalence and awareness during health workforce in Nigeria. Internet J Med Update. 2015;10(2):10-19.
  30. Sabir AA, Isezuo SA, Fasanmade OA, et al. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its risk factors among the Sub-urban population of Northwest Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2017;16(4):165-171.
  31. Bello-ovosi BJ. Prevalence and correlates of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in urban community in North-western Nigeria. Sahel Med J. 2018;21(3):125-130.
  32. Ezeani I, Onyemelukwe G, Oli J. Prevalence and risk factors for Diabetes mellitus in a state in south-east Nigeria: results of population based house to house survey. West Afr J Med. 2020;16(2):181-187.
  33. Eze CO, Ozigboegwu O, Ezeala-Adikaibe B. The Prevalence and pattern of admission mortality among acute stroke patients managed at a tertiary hospital in Abaliki, Nigeria. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2024;14(1):45-52.
  34. Akin O, Owolabi M, Ogunniyi A. Prevalence, predictors and prognosis of post-stroke neuropsychiatric symptoms at 3 month post-stroke. J Neurol Sci. 2020;418:117073.
  35. Chukwemeka Eze C, Ezeala-Adikaibe B, Ozigboegwu O. Stroke in the young adults: experience at Abakaliki south-east Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2019;22(8):1075-1080.
  36. Amanc B, Sani M, Tijani B, et al. Trends and outcome of cardiovascular disease admission in Lagos Nigeria: a 16 year review. West Afr J Med. 2023;40(7):678-685.
  37. Okechukwu S, Okoye I, Akpa M, et al. Cardiovascular disease in Nigeria: current status, threats and opportunities. Glob Heart. 2023;18(1):62.
  38. Victor M, Ogedengbe O, Adebayo R. Association between metabolic syndrome and 10 year risk of developing cardiovascular disease in a Nigerian population. Afr Health Sci. 2016;8:354-359.
  39. Dike B, Isezuo S, Chijioke A, et al. Risk Factors profile and comorbidities in 2398 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension from the Abuja Heart study. J Clin Hypertens. 2015;17(9):691-697.
  40. Adebayo O, Ogah O, Oladapo O, et al. Clinical characteristics, management and six-month outcomes after discharge of patients admitted for acute heart failure in Ibadan, Nigeria. West Afr J Med. 2023;40(5):421-428.
  41. Oloseyi A, Adewole O, Akinyemi O. Prevalence and pattern of cardiovascular related causes of out-of-hospital death in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Public Health. 2018;18:1245.
  42. Timothy O, Chijioke A, Isezuo S, et al. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and risk factors in North Central Nigeria: a Population base study. Niger J Clin Pract. 2020;23(10):1385-1392.
  43. Innocent I, Arogundade F, Sanusi A, et al. Prevalence and predictors of chronic kidney disease in a semi-urban community in Lagos. Pan Afr Med J. 2019;32:45.
  44. Okwuonu C, Ojimadu N, Oche M. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors among adults in a semi-urban community of south-east Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2017;24(2):81-87.
  45. Boni M, Desalu O, Onyedum C, et al. Estimating the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an African country: evidence from southern Nigeria. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2022;26(4):312-318.
  46. Ojuawo OB, Desalu O, Salami A, et al. Out-patient burden of adult respiratory disease in university of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Afr J Respir Med. 2022;18(1):12-18.
  47. Akinremi AA, Desalu O, Onyedum C. Prevalence of Lung function impairment among a Nigerian Undergraduate Population. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2015;30(1-2):45-49.
  48. Adeniyi A, Desalu O, Adeoti A, et al. Pattern of respiratory diseases among patient seen at the emergency unit of tertiary health facility in south-west Nigeria. West Afr J Med. 2016;35(3):201-206.
  49. Desalu O, Bello K, Salami A, et al. Prevalence of Asthma and respiratory symptoms during pregnancy in the middle belt of Nigeria. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(5):645-649.
  50. Obianju O, Erhabor G, Adewole O, et al. The prevalence of Asthma and allergic rhinitis in Nigeria: A nationwide survey among adults. Allergol Immunopathol. 2019;47(3):224-231.
  51. Azeez O, Desalu O, Opeyemi C, et al. Acute severe asthma and its predictors of mortality in rural south-western Nigeria: a five year retrospective observational study. J Asthma. 2023;60(5):912-918.
  52. Maarten C, Aisuodionoe-Shadrach O, Ogunbiyi J. Prevalence of prostate cancer at autopsy in Nigeria- A preliminary report. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2021;24(2):456-461.
  53. Nwafor CC, Ugboko H, Oluwasola O. The pattern and distribution of cancers in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2018;21(5):612-617.
  54. Yusuf I, Atanda A, Umar A. Cancer in Kano, northwestern Nigeria. A 10 year update of the Kano Cancer Registry. Niger J Surg Res. 2017;8(2):87-93.
  55. Onwusah DO, Ekanem I, Udoh E. Prevalence of cancer in a tertiary Health Facility in south-south Nigeria. Int J Cancer Res. 2017;13(3):145-150.
  56. Adikaibe B, Onwuekwe I, Ezeala-Adikaibe B. Prevalence of active convulsive epilepsy in urban slum in Enugu south-east Nigeria. Seizure. 2016;39:45-49.
  57. West BA, Opara P, Eneh A. Pattern and impact of childhood seizure disorders in port Harcourt, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2019;22(4):512-517.
  58. Paul O, Ogunniyi A, Baiyewu O. Epidemiology of acute symptomatic seizures among adult medical admissions. Afr J Neurol Sci. 2016;35(2):23-28.
  59. Chidozie D, Ani C, Nwosu M. Seizure disorders at Madonna University Teaching Hospital prevalence, pattern and co-morbidities. A seven year review. Niger J Med. 2019;28(3):189-194.
  60. Ogunniyi A, Baiyewu O, Gureje O, et al. Prevalence estimates of Major neurocognitive disorder in a rural Nigeria community. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2016;42(3-4):198-205.
  61. Akin O, Owolabi M, Arulogun O, et al. Pre-stroke cognitive decline in Africans: Prevalence, predictors and association with post-stroke dementia. Stroke. 2021;52(8):2567-2574.
  62. Amao A, Adebayo R, Oshodi Y, et al. Prevalence and pattern of psychiatric morbidity among community dwelling elderly population in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Afr J Psychiatry. 2020;23(4):145-150.
  63. Yaria JO, Ojagbemi A, Akinyemi R, et al. Neurocognitive impairment in Nigerian community: Pattern of cognitive dysfunction and risk factors. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(12):1345-1352.
  64. Munn Z, Barker TH, Moola S, Tufanaru C, Stern C, McArthur A, Stephenson M, Aromataris E. Methodological quality of case series studies: an introduction to the JBI critical appraisal tool. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2020;18(10):2127-2133.
download View/Download PDF

Published in Vol. 9 No. 1: African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research, July 2026

6
Views
3
Downloads
64
Citations

format_quote How to Cite

1.
Sarki A, Theodore T, Godswill IE, Mana BF, Alabi TI, Asa KP, et al. Prevalence Of Non-Communicable Diseases In Nigeria;: A Nine Year Systematic Review. Afr. J. Trop. Med. Biomed. Res. [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 31 [cited 2026 Aug. 27];9(1):131–147. Available from: https://ajtmbr.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/ncd-prevalence-nigeria

Share this Article

policy

Copyright (c) 2026 African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

r