Beneath the shadow of Nigeria’s more publicized health battles like HIV and malaria lies a silent but equally deadly epidemic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). It kills slowly, spreads quietly, and often goes unnoticed until the damage is irreversible. Yet, it is one of the most preventable viral infections in the world.
While the country’s public health attention is often drawn to infectious diseases with visible symptoms, Hepatitis B continues to claim lives in whispers destroying livers, breaking families, and burdening a health system already stretched thin.
In an exclusive interview with Pinnacle Daily, Dr. Izuagba Kelechi, Publicity Secretary of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN-FCT), said Hepatitis B is “one of the most common and life-threatening viral infections in the world, yet many people know very little about it.” Unlike HIV, which is widely recognized and funded, Hepatitis B spreads silently and is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
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Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest Hepatitis B prevalence in Africa, with an estimated 8% to 12% of the population living with the virus, according to a 2023 systematic review. That’s roughly one in every 10 Nigerians, or over 20 million people potentially infected.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that over 296 million people live with chronic Hepatitis B infection, leading to nearly 820,000 deaths annually, mostly from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Yet, in Nigeria, less than 10% of infected individuals are aware of their status, and fewer than 2% receive treatment.
These are not just statistics; they represent a hidden humanitarian crisis.
A Silent Epidemic in Plain Sight
Dr. Opiti Chukwuneku, Associate Director (Technical) of the USAID ACE3 Project, describes Hepatitis B as “a silent epidemic that hides behind ignorance, stigma, and poor access to care.”
“Imagine living with a virus that could destroy your liver, cause cancer, or take your life, and you don’t even know it’s there,” he says. “That’s the reality for millions of Nigerians.”
Hepatitis B attacks the liver, causing inflammation, liver failure, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer, known medically as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Unlike other infections that show symptoms early, HBV can remain asymptomatic for years, allowing it to spread unnoticed.
By the time symptoms like fatigue, dark urine, jaundice, and abdominal pain appear, it is often too late.
Who Is Most at Risk?
According to experts, high-risk groups include:
- Healthcare workers (through accidental needle pricks)
- Individuals with multiple sexual partners
- Commercial sex workers
- People receiving frequent blood transfusions
- Infants born to infected mothers
Transmission occurs through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, unscreened blood transfusions, and from mother to child during childbirth.
And yet, this is a virus that can be prevented by a simple vaccine.
A Vaccine That Saves Lives but Too Few Take It
The Hepatitis B vaccine, given in three doses (at 0, 1, and 6 months), is one of the safest and most effective in the world. It offers over 95% protection against infection.
Despite being cheap and available, vaccination rates remain alarmingly low in Nigeria. Many adults have never been screened or vaccinated, while some newborns miss the crucial birth dose, especially in rural communities without consistent access to health services.
Dr. Kelechi warns: “Pregnant people should be screened early, and if positive, their babies must receive both the vaccine and immunoglobulin within a few hours of birth to prevent transmission.”
Ignorance remains the virus’s greatest ally.
- Stigma discourages people from getting tested.
- Misinformation makes others believe it is incurable or linked to promiscuity.
- Poverty limits access to diagnosis and antiviral drugs.
- Cultural silence keeps families from discussing it.
Nigeria’s Bold Steps Toward a Hepatitis-Free Future
The Federal Government is scaling up efforts to fight Hepatitis B through vaccination, awareness campaigns, and integration with national health systems.
Launched in July 2025, Project 365 is a one-year national campaign targeting the elimination of Hepatitis B and C by 2030. The initiative aims to reach all 360 federal constituencies with free screening, vaccination, and treatment.
In May 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health expanded its Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program to include Hepatitis B and syphilis.
The government is integrating hepatitis care into HIV, maternal, and primary healthcare programs for easier access. A unified financing model under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) now supports sustained funding, in collaboration with WHO and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
According to the U.S. CDC, all adults aged 19–59 years should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B, while adults 60 and above with risk factors are strongly advised to do the same. Adults without known risk factors can also receive the vaccine for lifelong protection.
Progress and Persistent Gaps
Despite progress, coverage remains uneven. Studies in 2024 showed that only 64% of Nigerian newborns received the birth-dose vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
Funding gaps, stigma, and poor awareness remain major obstacles.
“Hepatitis B is not a death sentence,” says Dr. Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health. “Early testing and vaccination are our strongest defenses.”
As Dr. Opiti notes, “We cannot keep treating Hepatitis B as a medical issue alone; it’s a human issue. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a future.”
He adds that the lack of awareness has devastating consequences: “People only find out they’re infected when they start showing signs of liver damage. By then, treatment becomes complex and expensive.”
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Beyond its human toll, Hepatitis B is a drain on Nigeria’s healthcare system and economy. The cost of treating chronic Hepatitis B or liver cancer can exceed ₦1.5 million per year, far beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
Many infected individuals also face workplace discrimination and social isolation due to widespread stigma and misconceptions.
Meanwhile, health experts warn that unchecked infection rates could undermine national productivity as young adults the country’s most active workforce bear the highest burden.
What Can Be Done?
To combat this silent killer, experts recommend a national multi-sectoral strategy anchored on awareness, vaccination, testing, and treatment access.
1. Expand Public Awareness Campaigns
Community education, media advocacy, and school-based sensitization must become national priorities.
“People dread HIV but don’t realize Hepatitis B is more infectious and often more deadly,” says Dr. Kelechi. “We must change that mindset.”
2. Make Testing Routine
Testing should be a standard part of pre-employment, antenatal, and pre-marital health checks, as well as annual health screenings.
3. Integrate Vaccination Into Primary Health Care
The Hepatitis B vaccine should be included in routine immunization programs for both children and adults, especially for healthcare workers and pregnant women.
4. Improve Access to Affordable Treatment
Subsidized antiviral drugs and liver monitoring services must be made available across all states, not just in tertiary hospitals.
5. Fight Stigma Through Policy and Education
Religious, traditional, and community leaders must play an active role in ending discrimination and encouraging open conversations about Hepatitis B.
Across Nigeria, small awareness campaigns by local NGOs, medical associations, and health advocates are beginning to make waves.
But experts agree it’s not enough.
“The time to act is now,” insists Dr. Opiti. “Because ignorance is the real danger. Hepatitis B doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With awareness, testing, and treatment, Nigerians can fight back.”
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Hepatitis B is preventable, manageable, and beatable but only if Nigerians take responsibility for their health.
- Get tested today.
- Get vaccinated immediately if you’re negative.
- Practise safe sex and avoid sharing sharp objects.
- Encourage screening for pregnant women and newborns.
| 🩺 Category | 💡 Key Information |
|---|---|
| Vaccine Schedule | 0 – 1 – 6 months (Three-dose protection for life) |
| Fact | Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV |
| Stat | 1 in 10 Nigerians may be living with the virus |
| Message | Get tested. Get vaccinated. Protect your liver. |
It’s time to end the silence. Because the real threat isn’t just the virus it’s the ignorance that lets it thrive.
“Hepatitis B is not a death sentence. It’s a wake-up call.”— Dr. Izuagba Kelechi, MWAN-FCT
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
