The Federal Government says Nigeria loses between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion yearly in direct and indirect costs due to hepatitis, which also causes 4,252 deaths from liver cancer annually.
The Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, disclosed this during a briefing to mark World Hepatitis Day.
He said over 20 million Nigerians live with hepatitis B and C, with more than 90% undiagnosed, adding that symptoms are often mistaken for malaria, allowing the virus to silently damage the liver.
To tackle the epidemic, the government has launched a year-long national campaign tagged “Project 365” to ensure screening, diagnosis, and treatment in all constituencies.
Additional measures include increased funding, creation of a viral hepatitis elimination fund, tax incentives, support for local drug production, and expanded access to care.
Similarly, stakeholders including the Africa CDC, former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and state officials pledged continued support, with Kano State announcing free testing and treatment for pregnant women and newborns, and ₦135 million set aside to scale the programme further.