Prof. Simeon Isezuo, President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS), has called for collective action to combat hypertension and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Isezuo made the call in a statement to mark the 2026 World Hypertension Day, released to reporters on Sunday in Sokoto.
He said the society was joining the global community to commemorate the day on May 17, describing hypertension as the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Nigeria and worldwide.
“This year’s theme, ‘Controlling Hypertension Together: Check your blood pressure regularly and defeat the silent killer,’ signals that no single group can win the fight against hypertension alone.
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“Controlling hypertension requires coordinated action by government, health workers, civil society, the private sector, spiritual and traditional leaders, and families, especially in Nigeria.
“The burden of hypertension in Nigeria is enormous, with 1 in 3 adults affected. Yet fewer than 1 in 5 people living with hypertension achieve target blood pressure,” Isezuo said.
