Participants at the World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day awareness walk in Abuja on Friday have warned that the diseases continue to spread largely because many people underestimate their severity.
Speaking during the walk, they said many Nigerians wrongly believe NTDs are insignificant because they are described as “neglected,” noting that the term refers to lack of attention rather than the seriousness of the diseases.
NTDs are a group of communicable diseases that thrive in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in communities with limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.
They often result in disability, disfigurement, social stigma and poverty.
The theme for the 2025 commemoration is “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs Towards the Achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Mrs Chinwe Okoye, National Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Programme Manager at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said poor awareness remains the biggest challenge, even as Nigeria carries one of the heaviest NTD burdens globally.
“The message we are giving out is to unite, act and eliminate NTDs. Because they are called neglected, many people do not see them as important.
“These are diseases that can remain in the body for five to 10 years, silently destroying cells. NTDs are dangerous,” she said.
Okoye explained that LF, commonly known as elephantiasis, is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
She said Nigeria accounts for about 50 per cent of the global LF burden and 25 per cent of cases in Africa.
According to her, symptoms often appear late, causing many sufferers to wrongly attribute them to spiritual attacks.
“You see cases of elephantiasis—swollen legs or enlarged scrotum—and people say it is spiritual. By then, the lymphatic system has already been damaged,” she said.
Okoye stressed the importance of taking the free annual ivermectin and albendazole treatments distributed in endemic communities, warning that advanced cases often lead to permanent disability, marital strain, loss of livelihood and emotional trauma.
Mr Gambo Yakubu, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation for the NTDs Control Programme at the ministry, said about 80 per cent of Nigerians are affected by at least one NTD.
He attributed the high prevalence to the country’s tropical climate and large population.
Yakubu said 583 local government areas are endemic for LF, 480 for onchocerciasis (river blindness), 583 for schistosomiasis, 424 for soil-transmitted helminths and 133 for trachoma.
“These are diseases silently affecting people because they are not receiving the attention they deserve,” he said.
Dr Sarah Pantuvo, Liaison Officer of The Carter Center, said eliminating NTDs requires shared responsibility among government, partners, communities and health workers.
She said the theme of the event highlights the need for collective action supported by political will and sustained funding.
Pantuvo added that The Carter Center supports 10 states and has contributed to the elimination of onchocerciasis and LF in Plateau and Nasarawa states.
Also speaking, Mr Peter Iorkighir, President of Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA) Nigeria, and a person affected by leprosy, raised concerns over persistent drug shortages.
He said access to leprosy medications has fluctuated over the past two years.
“They tell us that regulatory delays are affecting the supply of drugs. This is a setback. When people are not treated early, they develop disabilities that lead to stigma and discrimination,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to work closely with partners to improve early case detection, ensure uninterrupted drug supply and strengthen grassroots support.
Participants at the walk reiterated that NTDs remain a major public health and development challenge but can be eliminated through coordinated action, adequate funding and stronger health systems.
World NTDs Day is commemorated annually on Jan. 30 to raise global awareness and accelerate efforts to end the impact of the diseases on vulnerable populations.
