The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has noted that just 80 heart surgeons are available to serve Nigeria's population of more than 200 million.
CAPPA mentioned that Nigeria became part of the worldwide community to celebrate World Heart Day 2025 recently.
CAPPA, despite highlighting the concerning rise in cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within the nation, revealed that by 2021, only 13 facilities in Nigeria were performing heart surgery.
CAPPA noted that the costs of heart surgery have also increased significantly — averaging between ₦3 million and ₦5.5 million in 2024 — making life-saving treatment unaffordable for most families.
CAPPA urged the federal and state authorities to quickly implement strong nutrition-related policies in an effort to curb the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases across the nation.
On Sunday, a statement called on officials at every level to adopt evidence-driven actions, such as setting compulsory limits on salt content, enforcing an effective tax of at least ₦130 per liter on sugar-sweetened beverages, requiring clear warning labels on the front of packaged and highly processed foods, limiting the promotion and advertising of unhealthy foods, tobacco, and non-smoked nicotine products, particularly targeting children, and raising tobacco taxes by a minimum of 100 percent.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, the executive director of CAPPA, called on the government to avoid backing out of its commitment to allocate these taxes toward enhancing the healthcare system.
"These strategies are established, economical solutions that will preserve lives and safeguard households from the severe health and financial impacts of cardiovascular disease and associated conditions," Oluwafemi remarked.
The statement established a clear link between heart disease and poor dietary habits, stating: “Overconsumption of salt and sugary drinks raises the likelihood of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity — major contributors to cardiovascular illnesses. In the same way, using tobacco harms the heart and blood vessels, increasing the chance of stroke and heart attacks.”
Nigeria is already facing the consequences. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rank among the top causes of mortality in the nation. The Nigerian Cardiac Society recently stated that approximately one-third of adult Nigerians suffer from high blood pressure, with some areas reporting rates as high as 40 per cent. Disturbingly, one-third of those with hypertension remain undiagnosed, while another third have uncontrolled blood pressure even though they are aware of their condition.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 17.9 million people die worldwide each year from cardiovascular diseases, with over 75 percent of these fatalities taking place in low- and middle-income nations such as Nigeria.
Many of these fatalities could be avoided by implementing strategies that lower dangerous risk factors, including smoking, high intake of salt and sugar, lack of exercise, and excessive drinking.
World Heart Day, celebrated every year, seeks to raise awareness regarding cardiovascular diseases, enable people to embrace healthier habits, and prompt governments to establish conditions that promote heart-friendly living.
This involves increasing availability of medical services, implementing effective dietary and smoking regulation measures, encouraging physical activities such as walking and biking, and minimizing atmospheric contamination.
CAPPA highlighted that Nigeria must not keep depending only on personal accountability in addressing CVDs and NCDs. It stated that effective government policies are essential to establish healthier surroundings and make healthier decisions the norm for Nigerians.
"By decreasing the salt content in processed foods, implementing eye-catching warning labels, raising taxes on sugary beverages and tobacco, and limiting harmful advertising, Nigeria can greatly reduce the growing impact of heart disease," the organization emphasized.
It further stated that these policies not only safeguard public health but also lower long-term medical expenses, boost efficiency, and promote economic development.
CAPPA called on federal and state authorities to take immediate and firm action.
"We call on decision-makers to prioritize individuals over financial gains by implementing robust food and cigarette regulation policies. Safeguarding our health signifies safeguarding the nation's tomorrow," the statement mentioned.
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