Jibrin Ndace, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has urged the Federal Government to treat blood donation as a national emergency, highlighting the urgent need for stronger national commitment. He warned that Nigeria’s current blood supply remains far below population requirements, stressing that inadequate availability continues to endanger lives and strain the healthcare system.
Ndace made the call on Monday at a media meeting themed “From Headlines to Lifelines: Media Advocacy for Voluntary Blood Donation” held in Abuja to commemorate National Blood Donor Day 2025.
The event, organized by the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), brought together editors, broadcast and print journalists, digital media practitioners, donor groups, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Addressing participants, Ndace urged media professionals to give sustained visibility to the issue, stressing that voluntary blood donation is essential for saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes. He cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media, emphasising journalists’ responsibility to verify information before publication.
“Traditional media must not allow rumors to gain legitimacy,” he said, highlighting the need to distinguish credible publishers from unverified online sources. He pledged VON’s commitment to the campaign, noting that reports would be broadcast in eight languages to enhance nationwide and global reach.
Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director-General of NBSA, highlighted the severe shortage of blood in the country, noting its impact on trauma care, maternal and child health, cancer treatment, surgeries, and chronic medical conditions. He said Nigeria requires 1.8 to 2 million units of blood annually but collects only about 500,000 units—meeting just 25–30 per cent of national needs—resulting in a shortfall of up to 75 per cent.
Yuguda also expressed concern about misconceptions surrounding blood donation that discourage voluntary donors, urging the media to humanize the issue through impactful storytelling and to feature donor and recipient experiences while highlighting the science, safeguards, and societal benefits of giving blood.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, reaffirmed government commitment to scaling up voluntary donation, noting that an efficient and equitable blood service is essential to reforms in emergency care and hospital services. Represented by Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, Director of Hospital Services, he urged the media to amplify facts, dispel myths, and promote positive behavioral change.
Other activities at the event included the launch of the Media Blood Donation Challenge 2025 and the unveiling of the NBSA Digital Media Toolkit for Journalists, both aimed at strengthening nationwide advocacy for voluntary blood donation.
