In Nigeria’s two largest cities—Kano and Lagos—preventable diseases like diphtheria and cholera continue to claim hundreds of lives each year. Despite being curable and preventable through vaccination and sanitation, these illnesses expose severe cracks in Nigeria’s health system: poor disease surveillance, low immunization coverage, and delayed outbreak response.
The devastating human cost of this failure is reflected in the stories of families who have lost loved ones. From Kano’s dusty outskirts to Lagos’ congested slums, tragedy has become an unwelcome visitor.
A Father’s Loss: When a Fever Turns Fatal in Kano
For 50-year-old Lawan Umar, the nightmare began on a seemingly ordinary day in October 2023. His daughter, six-year-old Zulaihat, had a fever. He believed it was nothing serious—perhaps malaria or a mild infection. He took her to a local clinic, expecting a quick recovery.
Instead, Zulaihat’s condition worsened. She was referred to Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kano, then to Murtala Muhammad Hospital, where she died the same day. Umar buried his little girl in disbelief.
But the tragedy didn’t end there.
Within five days, Umar buried two more children: Khadija (9) and Umar (12). Both had contracted diphtheria, the same infection that killed Zulaihat. The siblings were quarantined immediately after their sister’s burial, but they didn’t survive.
“They waved at me when I left with Zulaihat,” Umar recalled, tears in his eyes. “They looked fine. I never thought I’d lose all three.”
This family’s grief is part of a much bigger crisis sweeping through Kano—the epicenter of Nigeria’s worst diphtheria outbreak in decades.
Cholera Strikes Lagos: A Young Doctor’s Painful Goodbye
The heartbreak isn’t limited to northern Nigeria. In Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, cholera outbreaks have claimed dozens of lives. Among the victims was Caleb Ezechimere, a young medical laboratory scientist who had just begun his internship at the Military Hospital.
Caleb died in June 2024 after consuming a tiger nut drink bought from a local vendor. Several others who bought from the same vendor were hospitalized, but Caleb didn’t make it.
“It was a preventable death, and that’s the most painful kind,” said Dr. Jaachi Nwagbara, Caleb’s sister-in-law. “Deaths like this should never happen in 2024.”
Nigeria’s Worst Diphtheria Outbreak in Decades
Since 2022, Nigeria has struggled with its most severe diphtheria outbreak in modern history. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC):
- 43,000 suspected diphtheria cases reported nationwide
- 26,499 confirmed cases in 360 LGAs across 36 states and the FCT
- 64% of infections occurred in children aged 1–14
- 80% of confirmed cases were not fully vaccinated
Kano: The Epicenter
Kano alone accounts for more than half of Nigeria’s diphtheria cases:
- 18,284 confirmed cases
- 860 deaths (highest in the country)
Other affected states include Yobe, Bauchi, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau. But Kano’s dense population and poor vaccination coverage make it the outbreak’s deadliest hotspot.
Communities Most Affected in Kano
- Kumbotso (where Umar’s family lives)
- Ungogo, Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, and Tarauni
Residents of these LGAs report limited access to health facilities, poor sanitation, and irregular vaccination services. These challenges create a perfect storm for outbreaks to thrive.
Low Vaccination Coverage: The Weak Link
The diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine is highly effective, yet many Nigerian children remain unvaccinated. In some Kano communities, only 14% of children under five received the vaccine during key campaigns.
Why?
- Vaccine hesitancy fueled by cultural beliefs and misinformation
- Logistical barriers to reaching remote or densely populated areas
- Distrust in health authorities
A 2024 study titled “Vaccine Hesitancy Under the Lens” revealed that misinformation and poor access drive low immunization rates. Experts warn that tackling hesitancy is critical—not just for the current outbreak, but for preventing future ones.
Lagos: Cholera and the Hidden Health Crisis
Lagos, despite its wealth, struggles with slum communities like Makoko, Ajegunle, and Bariga, where overcrowding, flooding, and poor sanitation make cholera outbreaks inevitable.
During the 2024 rainy season, cholera swept through these areas. Ajegunle residents described homes surrounded by waste-filled water. In Makoko, Emmanuel Enasumahousiele lost his wife on June 17 to suspected malaria because they couldn’t access care in time.
“Makoko has no standard hospital,” he lamented. “If she had gotten care earlier, she’d still be alive.”
Statistics That Tell a Grim Story
According to the NCDC’s October 2024 report:
- 14,237 cholera cases and 378 deaths across 35 states
- Lagos alone accounted for 43% of suspected cases
- Lagos Island contributed 5% of cases nationwide
By March 2025, another 1,149 suspected cholera cases and 28 deaths were recorded across Nigeria, showing that the crisis is far from over.
Why Are Nigeria’s Cities Failing?
Experts blame:
- Weak disease surveillance and slow reporting systems
- Overcrowding and poor sanitation in urban slums
- Inadequate investment in health infrastructure
- Over-reliance on external donors for funding
Even when outbreaks occur, data gaps and manual reporting slow down response efforts. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that Nigeria’s cholera figures may be underreported due to limited diagnostics and reporting delays.
Government Response: Progress and Gaps
Both Kano and Lagos claim to have improved surveillance and vaccination campaigns. The Kano Ministry of Health says it has:
- Intensified routine immunization
- Deployed community informants for early case detection
- Engaged traditional leaders for sensitization
Lagos has trained 100 health workers on digital reporting using SORMAS and rapid cholera diagnosis. But experts warn that these efforts fall short without sustainable funding and community trust.
Experts Recommend Bold Reforms
Dr. Adedayo Aderibigbe of LASUTH stresses early detection and digital tools:
“It is cheaper to identify breakdowns early than manage large outbreaks,” he said.
Christiana Fashola, a global health expert, recommends integrating community pharmacies into vaccination delivery:
“They are the first point of contact in underserved areas,” she noted.
Other key recommendations include:
- Improving sanitation and drainage in slum communities
- Using culturally sensitive communication to combat vaccine hesitancy
- Investing in primary health centers close to vulnerable areas
Diphtheria and Cholera: Diseases We Can Defeat
Both diphtheria and cholera are preventable with vaccination, clean water, and sanitation. Yet, systemic failures in Nigeria continue to make these diseases deadly. The question remains: How many more lives must be lost before change happens?
FAQs on Preventable Diseases in Nigeria
Q1: Why is diphtheria spreading in Nigeria?
Low vaccination coverage, misinformation, and weak surveillance systems are key drivers of the outbreak.
Q2: Which Nigerian state is worst affected by diphtheria?
Kano is the epicenter, with over 18,000 confirmed cases and 860 deaths.
Q3: Why does cholera remain a threat in Lagos?
Poor sanitation, flooding, and overcrowded slums create perfect conditions for cholera outbreaks.
Q4: How can Nigeria prevent future outbreaks?
Improved vaccination, better sanitation, early disease detection, and digital reporting systems are critical.
