A Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Oghenekaro Egbi, has raised the alarm over the rapidly growing burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Nigeria, revealing that more than 230,000 Nigerians currently require dialysis or kidney transplants to stay alive.
Presenting his research during the university’s 65th inaugural lecture, Prof. Egbi warned that CKD is on track to become the fifth leading cause of death globally, driven by a combination of non-communicable and infectious diseases.
According to him, Nigeria faces a “double burden” of disease, as rising cases of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity intersect with persistent infections such as hepatitis and HIV. He noted that over 68 percent of admissions in tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State are linked to non-communicable diseases, many influenced by genetics and environmental triggers.
Prof. Egbi attributed part of the surge in kidney-related illnesses to the nation’s growing consumption of ultra-processed foods, which he described as “highly processed and loaded with artificial additives, sugar, sodium, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.” Products such as soft drinks, canned meats, instant noodles, and flavoured yoghurts, he said, significantly increase the risk of kidney damage.
His research showed that consumption of ultra-processed foods raises the risk of kidney disease by 24 percent, while red and processed meats are also linked to poor kidney outcomes. Studies he cited revealed widespread unawareness of health risks: in one Bayelsa tertiary hospital, one in five staff had hypertension and a quarter were obese, yet two-thirds of hypertensive individuals did not know their status.
Environmental factors were also highlighted, with Prof. Egbi revealing that kidney disease was most prevalent in Obunagha, a gas-flaring community, compared to neighboring non-flaring communities. He said residents in gas-flaring environments face increased risk of reduced kidney function, independent of air-gas concentration levels.
Socio-economic factors further worsen the crisis. With 63 percent of Nigerians classified as multi-dimensionally poor, Prof. Egbi noted that effective CKD management is “almost impossible” for many patients. He disclosed that 61 percent of patients at a dialysis centre in Bayelsa State discontinued treatment within the first week due to high costs.
While about 30 percent of End-Stage Kidney Disease patients in developed countries receive kidney transplants, fewer than 1 percent of Nigerian patients attempt transplantation, largely due to out-of-pocket expenses, inadequate infrastructure, lack of legislation, manpower shortages, and cultural barriers.
Prof. Egbi called for urgent government intervention, improved awareness, stronger health systems, and policies that support affordable kidney care to prevent the worsening of Nigeria’s kidney disease crisis.
