Why Brain Health Must Be a National Priority in Nigeria

A landmark Global Burden of Disease analysis has revealed that over 3 billion people globally—approximately one in every three humans—live with a neurological condition, making brain disorders the leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide.

In Nigeria, the strain is particularly stark. With fewer than 80 practicing neurologists serving a population of more than 220 million, the country has one neurologist for every 2.7 million people. This critical shortage is crippling access to diagnosis, care, and rehabilitation for millions living with epilepsy, stroke, brain tumors, and other neurological conditions.

Aisha’s Story: Misunderstood and Mistreated

Aisha Ismail, 26, from Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, is one of many Nigerians living with epilepsy. She recalls the terror of her first seizure and the societal misconceptions that followed.

“When I had my first seizure, I thought I was dying. What hurt more was the fear in my mother’s eyes—not for my health, but for my soul,” she said.

Diagnosed at 11, Aisha was pulled out of school by her parents, who believed her condition was caused by witchcraft. “They sought spiritual deliverance instead of medical help,” she said. Today, Aisha is a tailor who still structures her work schedule around the fear of a sudden episode.

Stroke, Tumours, and the Silent Epidemic

Neurological diseases continue to rank high among Nigeria’s health emergencies. A 2023 study published in Annals of African Medicine reported that stroke accounted for 5.7% to 26.2% of hospital admissions, with fatality rates ranging from 21% to 45%, largely due to delayed intervention and poor access to specialised care, especially in rural communities.

“We’re trying to manage a tsunami with a teaspoon,” said Prof. Edwin Eseigbe, President of the Child Neurology Society of Nigeria. “Until primary healthcare workers are trained to recognise and refer stroke cases quickly, thousands will keep dying.”

Similarly, brain tumors are often diagnosed late or misinterpreted as spiritual afflictions. Dr. Uthman Uthman, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at National Hospital Abuja, said many patients reach hospitals only after experiencing seizures or personality changes. “If they can’t afford MRI or PET scans, or the required lifelong multidisciplinary treatment, survival becomes a matter of luck,” he said.

The Financial Toll

Retired General Maurice Ezeoke, former president of the International College of Surgeons, underscored the role of cost in care inequality. “Unless brain tumour treatment is subsidised and included in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) package, the average Nigerian won’t survive it,” he said.

That reality is all too familiar for Stephanie Acka, whose sister was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2021. Her family raised over ₦10 million through donations for treatment in India. “Now we spend ₦1.2 million monthly on post-surgery medications. I’ve begged just to keep my sister alive,” she said.

Cultural Beliefs and Dangerous Myths

In many Nigerian communities, neurological conditions remain misunderstood. A rural study in Epilepsy & Behaviorinvolving 365 adults found that 81% attributed seizures to witchcraft, while only 12% correctly identified epilepsy as a brain disorder. More than 80% preferred traditional treatments, such as charms and herbs.

Such beliefs are often fuelled by scarce medical personnel, distant health facilities, and unavailable medications, reinforcing the cycle of stigma and poor outcomes.

What Needs to Change: A Five-Point Plan for Nigeria

As part of its World Brain Day 2025 campaign, the World Federation of Neurology has proposed five key interventions to improve brain health globally—recommendations that experts say are highly applicable in Nigeria:

1. Public Awareness: Nationwide campaigns to debunk myths and promote accurate information about brain health, including seizure first-aid and stroke warning signs.

2. Frontline Training: Upskilling community health workers, nurses, and primary care staff to detect early signs of stroke, epilepsy, and dementia for timely referral.

3. Preventive Care: Expand immunisation, blood pressure monitoring, and safe pregnancy programmes to reduce brain injury risks from birth to adulthood.

4. Accessible Treatment: Establish epilepsy and stroke clinics in all six geopolitical zones and ensure availability of low-cost anti-seizure medications.

5. Policy & Funding: Integrate brain health into the National Health Insurance scheme and earmark funding for neuroscience research and infrastructure.

Lifespan Brain Health: From Womb to Old Age

“Brain health starts before birth and must be protected across the lifespan,” said Mrs. Ekeinyi Adedayo, a senior oncology nurse at the National Hospital, Abuja. She emphasized the role of antenatal care in preventing brain injuries, safety habits like helmet use for children, and early dementia screening in older adults.

Progress, But Not Enough

While the signing of Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act in 2023 was hailed as a milestone, critics argue it focuses too narrowly on psychiatric disorders, leaving epilepsy, stroke, brain tumors, and dementia under-prioritised.

To make matters worse, over 1,200 Nigerian doctors—including neurologists and neurosurgeons—emigrated in 2024, further stretching already fragile healthcare systems.

Hope and Advocacy in Action

Still, advocates are pushing forward. Hashtags like #EpilepsyIsNotWitchcraft and #BrainHealthMatters are gaining traction on TikTok and Instagram.

Aisha Ismail, once a victim of stigma, is now a voice of hope. For World Brain Day, she plans to stream the official webinar and unveil her signature dress design titled “Tonic-Clonic-But-Thriving.”

“If one girl sees it and realises she’s not cursed, that’s my World Brain Day,” Aisha said.

Engr. Chika Okwuolisa, Executive Director of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, captured the national stakes succinctly:

“If Nigeria fully implements this five-point plan, we could avert thousands of strokes, restore millions of productive life-years, and turn silent suffering into strength.”

Conclusion: Brain Health Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Human Right

In the push for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and national development, brain health can no longer be ignored. It is not just a clinical issue—it is a social, economic, and moral imperative. From the operating room to the village square, from the first seizure to a life rebuilt, prioritising brain health will not only save lives but rebuild futures.