More than 13 million Nigerians are currently living with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with a significant majority unaware of their condition, according to respiratory health experts.
This concern was raised by Obianuju Ozoh, a Professor of Medicine, Consultant Physician and Pulmonologist at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who warned that Nigeria is facing a growing but largely overlooked burden of respiratory diseases.
Speaking at a nurses’ training programme under the EQUI-RESP-AFRICA initiative – funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in collaboration with the Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st), Unilag College of Medicine, Lagos Universty Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health – Prof. Ozoh highlighted the scale of the crisis, noting that over half of those affected remain undiagnosed, while more than 90 percent do not receive adequate care.
COPD, a chronic condition that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is currently the third leading cause of death globally, yet remains significantly under-recognised in Nigeria.
“A disease that is not recognised cannot be diagnosed or treated,” Ozoh said, pointing to studies indicating that only about six percent of Lagos residents are aware of COPD.
The expert identified air pollution in Lagos as a major driver of respiratory illnesses, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
Factors such as; heavy traffic emissions, dust and environmental pollutants and poor air quality continue to increase vulnerability to asthma and COPD, especially among low-income communities.
She noted that many Nigerians only become aware of these conditions when complications arise, underscoring the need for early detection and public awareness.
Ozoh pointed to systemic challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, including limited access to diagnostic tools and essential medications.
Basic equipment such as spirometers and peak flow meters, critical for diagnosing respiratory conditions—are largely confined to tertiary hospitals, leaving primary and secondary healthcare centres under-equipped.
“There is a clear gap in diagnostic capacity, especially at the frontline level of care,” she said.
Access to treatment also remains a major barrier. While inhalers are available, their cost often puts them out of reach for many patients.
“We need to prioritise not just reliever medications, but controller therapies that are now the standard for asthma management—and make them affordable and accessible,” she added.
The training programme, which brought together over 50 nursing professionals, highlighted the critical role of nurses in improving respiratory health outcomes.
According to Ozoh, empowering nurses with the right skills and knowledge is essential to bridging the diagnosis and treatment gap.
“Nurses are often the first point of contact within communities. Strengthening their capacity is key to improving early detection and management,” she said.
Beyond pollution, Prof. Ozoh identified several triggers that contribute to asthma attacks, including: allergens and dust exposure, stress and emotional changes, obesity and hormonal factors such as pregnancy.
These factors, combined with environmental risks, create a complex landscape for respiratory health in Nigeria.
Health experts say addressing the growing burden of asthma and COPD in Nigeria will require a combination of public awareness, healthcare investment, and environmental action.
With urban air quality continuing to decline and millions still undiagnosed, stakeholders warn that without urgent intervention, respiratory diseases could become a more significant public health crisis.
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