Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and is set to become the world’s third most populous nation by 2050. Several economic shocks in recent years have disrupted growth and development and is making it difficult for Nigerians to sustain their livelihoods. Today, 41% of the population is living in poverty.

Amidst this ongoing economic crisis, people often have to pay directly for access to healthcare in Nigeria. As a result, households who live below the poverty line often do not, or cannot, access healthcare services when the need arises. Furthermore, Nigeria ranks low in global health statistics such as the number of doctors and nurses per 10,000 people.

In 2024, 1,770 people were newly diagnosed with leprosy in Nigeria, 130 of these cases were children under the age of 15, and 204 cases had already developed severe visible disabilities, indicating late detection.

Northern Ireland has had strong links to leprosy work in Nigeria – read Dr. Esther Davis’ story.

In 2026, your support will help find hidden cases of leprosy and will provide access to and strengthen health systems in Nigeria. This year’s activities include:

• Actively carrying out case detection activities such as skin camps and close contact tracing in communities to try and identify hidden leprosy cases
• Raising awareness in communities on hygiene, prevention of leprosy and other skin related NTDs, stigma and discrimination relating to leprosy, and other issues such as gender equality and safeguarding
• Provision of equipment, essential drugs and supplies for the treatment and management of leprosy and other common skin conditions in healthcare centres and mobile clinics
• Training of healthcare workers and integration of themes such as gender, safeguarding, stigma and discrimination into skin health services