Six Million Lagos Residents Living With Hypertension, State Government Discloses

Recent health statistics released by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in 2025 have revealed that an estimated six million people currently residing in Lagos are living with hypertension. Alarmingly, the majority of those affected are not aware they have the condition.

The disclosure was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, during a leadership dialogue focused on strengthening the state’s primary healthcare system. The event was organised by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in partnership with development organisations, including Nigeria Health Watch.

The high-level dialogue convened senior government officials, health sector administrators, and leaders from local councils across the state. Discussions centred on assessing the current state of primary healthcare delivery in Lagos and identifying critical gaps that require immediate intervention.

While addressing participants, Professor Abayomi highlighted the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in Lagos, particularly hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. He described these conditions as “silent killers,” noting that they are responsible for a growing number of avoidable health complications being treated in hospitals across the state.

According to the commissioner, approximately 20 percent of Lagos residents are currently affected by hypertension. With the state’s population estimated at around 30 million people, this percentage translates to about six million individuals living with high blood pressure.

He further explained that the situation is worsened by widespread lack of awareness. Data available to the ministry show that nearly 70 percent of people living with hypertension in Lagos are unaware of their condition. This means roughly 4.2 million residents are hypertensive without knowing it and, as a result, are not receiving appropriate medical care or treatment.

Professor Abayomi noted that this lack of diagnosis is a major factor contributing to severe and often life-threatening complications such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. Many patients only discover their condition after significant organ damage has already occurred.

The commissioner emphasised that hypertension and diabetes often develop quietly, without obvious early symptoms. Because of this, he stressed the importance of regular screening and early detection, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

He explained that a large number of cases currently overwhelming secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities could be prevented if residents made better use of primary healthcare centres. According to him, simple and cost-effective measures — including routine blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, weight monitoring, and lifestyle counselling — can significantly reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases when properly delivered through functional PHCs.

Professor Abayomi concluded by reaffirming the state government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services, noting that improved access to preventive care remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing avoidable illness and deaths linked to hypertension and related conditions in Lagos.