Abuja: Nigeria is facing a significant public health challenge with hepatitis, as estimates from the National AIDS, STIs, and Hepatitis Control Programme (NASCP) indicate that 8.1 percent of adults aged 15-64 live with hepatitis B, and 1.1 percent with hepatitis C. More than 80 percent of those infected are unaware of their status, allowing the virus to spread silently in homes, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Public health experts identify correctional centers as high-risk environments for viral hepatitis due to overcrowding, unsafe medical practices, limited access to testing, and stigma.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, viral hepatitis, particularly types B and C, kills approximately 1.3 million people each year globally.
In Nigeria, hepatitis is often overlooked despite its deadly toll, especially in low- and middle-income countries. WHO reports that over 91 million people in the African region live with hepatitis B or C, representing 26 percent of the global burden. Shared razor blades, contaminated injection equipment, and poor sanitation contribute to the spread of the virus. When Malam Musa Danladi was sentenced in 2022, he was diagnosed with hepatitis B in prison, a disease he had never heard of. He is one of many Nigerians discovering their status within prison walls, where resources and pathways to care are limited.
The Nigerian government launched Project 365 in July, a national campaign to test, treat, and vaccinate millions, including those in prisons. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that Nigeria loses between ?10.3 trillion and ?17.9 trillion annually due to hepatitis-related costs. Project 365 aims to screen every federal constituency and expand outreach to prisons, IDP camps, and rural communities. The initiative also establishes the Viral Elimination Fund (VEL) for sustainable financing and promotes local production of hepatitis diagnostics and medications.
A pilot hepatitis program at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre screened 830 inmates from December 2024 to June 2025, with plans to expand to all 300 custodial centers in Nigeria. Dr. Ibrahim Ehizogie from the Nigerian Correctional Services emphasized the need for continued funding, education, and policy enforcement to maintain these gains. According to the 2024 INHSU Global Guideline, incarcerated individuals have the right to healthcare, and denying services violates international human rights standards.
The guideline recommends testing and treatment initiation within seven days of incarceration and emphasizes harm reduction services to reduce transmission. Dr. Mya Ngon of WHO commended Nigeria’s efforts, stressing the importance of linking screening to treatment and ensuring continuity of care post-release. Since his release, Danladi has become a community advocate, raising awareness about hepatitis and its treatment.
Despite progress, experts identify critical gaps in Nigeria’s hepatitis response. Female inmates and pregnant women are often excluded from routine screening, and harm reduction services are largely absent in correctional centers. Prof. Taiwo Lateef of ABU notes the lack of a national hepatitis registry for prisons, making it challenging to track disease prevalence. Dr. Adebola Bashorun of NASCP highlights the need for structured data and legal protections for complete prison health reform. Dr. Titilola Munkail of Africa CDC emphasizes the importance of including incarcerated individuals in public health strategies for ending hepatitis.