By Fatima Saka
As over 20 million Nigerians infected with hepatitis crisis, costing trillions in economic losses, the Federal Government has launched a new national initiative, Project 365 to tackle the rising cases of hepatitis B and C across the country, as part of events marking the 2025 World Hepatitis Day.
This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls for demystifying the disease, dismantling stigma, and ensuring access to prevention, care, and treatment. With renewed commitment and multi-sectoral collaboration, Nigeria aims to shed its ranking as the country with the third-highest burden of hepatitis worldwide.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, revealed that more than 20 million Nigerians are currently living with viral hepatitis: 18.2 million with Hepatitis B and 2.5 million with Hepatitis C.
The coordinating minister who was represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the ministry, said despite the availability of vaccines and treatment, over 90% of infected individuals remain undiagnosed, often mistaking symptoms for malaria and resorting to self-medication.
According to Professor Pate, the consequences are dire, with 4,252 annual deaths from liver cancer linked to untreated hepatitis, and an estimated economic loss between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually due to direct and indirect costs.
“With the launch of Project 365, we are scaling up nationwide screening, diagnosis, and treatment to eliminate Hepatitis C and halt the transmission of Hepatitis B by 2030,” he said. “We will act boldly and urgently, leveraging science, strategy, and sustained action.”
“The campaign will run in synergy with existing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs, integrating community mobilization, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Local pharmaceutical manufacturing will also be boosted through increased funding, tax incentives, and regulatory reforms, anchored by the Viral Elimination Fund (VEF) and legislative support for diagnostics and treatment scale-up.
Together, we will break the silence, scale up solutions, and build a future where hepatitis no longer claims lives silently,” Professor Pate added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), highlighted the campaign’s focus on grassroots testing, vaccination, and public education.
Dr. Adebobola Bashorun Director/National Coordinator; National AIDS/HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) Public Department FMoHSW, delivering his welcome remarks during the event.
“There is an urgent need for Nigerians above 21 who missed hepatitis B vaccinations at birth to get tested and vaccinated if negative,” Bashorun stressed.
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Also speaking, Laire Issa Omelu is the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), pledged to partner with stakeholders like NASCP to raise awareness at the grassroots level.
International partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chai commended Nigeria’s leadership, especially for integrating hepatitis control into broader public health frameworks such as HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health services.
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