A health expert, Dr Aderonke Akande, has urged Nigerians to undergo regular medical screening and make early lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and disabilities.
Akande, director of family and community health services at the FCT Primary Health Care Board, gave the advice in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Saturday.
She spoke ahead of World Diabetes Day, observed annually on Nov. 14 to raise awareness about diabetes prevention, early detection, treatment and management.
The 2026 observance is part of a two-year global campaign, “Early Action on Diabetes,” running through 2027 and focusing on timely intervention and better health outcomes.
Akande described diabetes as a chronic condition characterised by high blood sugar. She said it affected people of all ages, with genetic factors and lifestyle choices contributing to its development.
She said early detection was important because diabetes could go unnoticed for years, while persistently high blood sugar gradually damages vital organs and increases the risk of serious complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its latest diabetes fact sheet published on Wednesday, estimates that 830 million people worldwide were living with diabetes in 2022, compared with 200 million in 1990.
The report also indicates that diabetes and diabetes-related kidney disease caused about 2.4 million deaths in 2023, highlighting the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Similarly, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in its 2025 Diabetes Atlas, estimates that 2.9 million Nigerian adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, representing a prevalence of three per cent.
The estimates indicate that about 78.7 per cent of diabetes cases in Nigeria remain undiagnosed, highlighting gaps in awareness, screening and access to timely diagnosis.
“People may not have any symptoms unless they screen. So, screening is very important,” Akande said, urging Nigerians to prioritise routine medical checks regardless of how healthy they felt.
She advised Nigerians to have annual medical evaluations, including blood sugar and blood pressure checks, to identify potential health problems before symptoms appear.
“A lot of us use our vehicles, whether they give problems or not, and take them for maintenance, but we don’t check the body that carries our lives.
“Every year, you must make sure you get yourself a whole medical evaluation. Walk into our Primary Health Centres (PHCs), general hospitals or tertiary hospitals and ask to check your health status.
“It’s not because I am ill, but I need to know my blood sugar level and blood pressure,” she said, encouraging preventive care rather than waiting until illness strikes.
Akande identified obesity, physical inactivity, family history and certain medications as factors that could increase the risk of diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes.
She said excessive consumption of sugary foods and carbohydrates could contribute to obesity, which in turn could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.
“It is not the consumption of sugar directly that may lead to diabetes. However, if you don’t have diabetes and you consume too much sugar and live carefree, you are likely to develop what we call obesity.
“If you are too fat, it makes your body tissues resistant to the insulin coming from the pancreas, making it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar,” she said.
However, she cautioned against the misconception that Nigerians must completely eliminate carbohydrate-based foods to prevent or manage diabetes, stressing the importance of a balanced diet.
She said people with diabetes could eat a range of healthy foods, provided they controlled their portions and avoided excessive refined sugar.
“What you should base your feeding on is natural food, like fruits, vegetables, protein and a little portion of carbohydrates.
“If you have to eat rice or swallow, just take a tiny portion and ensure you have a lot of vegetables,” she said.
Akande said regular exercise helped control weight and blood sugar, reducing the risk of diabetes and helping manage the condition.
She advised people to walk briskly for at least 30 minutes daily or exercise at least three times a week if daily activity was not possible.
“Exercise plays a major role in controlling your weight. If you can lose a certain percentage of your weight, normally your blood sugar normalises.
“Always keep moving. When you sit down for about 30 minutes in one place, tell yourself, I need to move,” she said.
She added that physical activity was important for both children and adults, noting that staying active did not require vigorous exercise.
Simple activities at home, including walking and other safe exercises, could improve blood circulation, control body fat and support overall health, she said.
Akande identified excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and injuries—particularly on the feet—that did not heal as possible warning signs of diabetes.
She advised people experiencing these symptoms, especially those with a family history of the condition, to get their blood sugar tested promptly.
“Somebody who was plump before and suddenly becomes thin, losing weight, could have diabetes.
“Someone who sustains an injury to the foot and the injury refuses to heal could also be showing signs of diabetes.
“The earlier you seek treatment, the better,” she said.
Akande said diabetes was manageable and that people with the condition could lead healthy, productive lives with medication, dietary control and lifestyle changes.
“If you really address your physical activity, your nutrition and sedentary lifestyle on time, having a family history does not mean that you must develop the condition,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians to look out for family members and neighbours showing possible symptoms and encourage them to seek medical attention promptly.
