By David Maxwell
When 52-year-old Sarah Sani noticed a tiny sore on her foot, she thought little of it. What seemed a trivial scratch soon deepened into a lesion that threatened not only her limb but her life. Doctors later confirmed that she had developed an advanced diabetic foot ulcer—an injury she had inadvertently worsened by walking barefoot at home.
“Diabetes nearly cost me my foot. I never imagined a small wound could turn deadly. Now I always wear slippers, even indoors,” she said.
Her experience is far from exceptional. Across Nigeria, thousands of people quietly grapple with complications linked to diabetes, many of which are intensified by late presentation, limited awareness and unsafe daily habits.
According to Bauchi-based endocrinologist Dr Ayuba Mugana, foot care is one of the most crucial components of diabetes management. Minor cuts or blisters can rapidly escalate into serious infections and, if left untreated, may lead to amputation. He noted that diabetic foot complications are second only to road accidents as a leading cause of limb loss in Nigeria, despite being highly preventable.
“Inspect your feet regularly, and if you notice pain or any form of injury, contact your doctor immediately,” he advised. “Never walk barefoot, and avoid shoes that are too tight or restrict blood flow.”
Many individuals, he explained, suffer nerve damage that diminishes sensation, leaving them unaware when they step on sharp objects or develop bruises. Preventive care, he stressed, is not only simpler but significantly cheaper than treatment.
He further urged patients to use nail clippers rather than blades when trimming toenails, as even the smallest cut may spark infection in those struggling with poor glucose control. Beyond foot hygiene, he emphasised the importance of balanced meals, adequate hydration and strict adherence to prescribed medication.
Self-medication, however, remains a major obstacle in Nigeria’s battle against diabetes. Pharmacist Joshua Akindele of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital described the practice as widespread and dangerous. Many Nigerians, he said, regularly take prescription-only medicines without professional supervision, unaware of potential side effects.
“People share medicines or buy them from uncertified vendors without understanding the risks,” he noted. “This ignorance quietly damages organs vital for metabolism and blood-sugar regulation.”
Akindele warned that steroids and unregulated herbal mixtures—commonly consumed without medical oversight—can harm the liver and pancreas, organs essential for insulin production.
Citing WHO data, he stated that self-medication contributes to nearly half of all preventable healthcare harm worldwide and over three million avoidable deaths annually. Weak regulation and poor health literacy, he added, leave millions of Nigerians vulnerable to dangerous, unverified products sold openly in markets.
He criticised the cultural habit of casually recommending medicines to friends and relatives, arguing that it reinforces misinformation and worsens long-term complications. The way forward, he said, requires sustained public education, stronger professional guidance and unwavering commitment to medical advice.
In addition to formal treatment, Dr Mugana encouraged diabetic patients to include Doum fruit in their diets. Rich in antioxidants and fibre, the fruit can help stabilise blood sugar, lower blood pressure, aid digestion and reduce bloating. It may be eaten raw, infused in tea or added to meals. Still, he stressed that natural remedies must never replace prescribed medication.
While individuals navigate the daily demands of the condition, Nigeria is taking significant steps to improve access to essential medicines. The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, NBRDA, recently signed a landmark agreement with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd to establish Nigeria’s first insulin manufacturing plant.
NBRDA spokesperson Mrs Toyin Omozuwa hailed the collaboration as historic, saying it could save the country billions spent annually on imported insulin. The new facility, she added, will provide affordable, high-quality insulin for millions who depend on it.
Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the agency, described the initiative as transformative for Nigeria’s biotechnology and health sectors. Local production of standardised insulin, he explained, would increase accessibility, create jobs and position Nigeria as a pharmaceutical leader on the continent.
As these institutional reforms advance, health advocates are calling for bolder policy action to address the country’s mounting burden of non-communicable diseases, NCDs. The Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance recently urged the National Assembly to establish a dedicated budget line for hypertension and NCD prevention.
Professor Dike Ojji of the Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja told lawmakers that 38.1 per cent of Nigerian adults live with hypertension, while 5.7 per cent have diabetes, mostly Type 2. He linked the rising numbers to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and limited access to healthcare services.
He emphasised the need for routine screening at primary health facilities and recommended that hypertension be included in the National Health Insurance Authority scheme to lessen the financial burden on households. He also called for stricter regulation of salt, sugar and trans fats in processed foods, citing their contribution to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Ojji revealed that NCDs now account for nearly a third of deaths among Nigeria’s most economically active population, with hypertension and stroke leading mortality figures. He added that the economic toll on families is substantial and growing.
Parallel to these calls for systemic reform, some practitioners continue to champion alternative treatment pathways. Professor Benjamin Amodu—a prominent advocate of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, TCAM, with nearly four decades of research and dozens of peer-reviewed publications—argued that alternative medicine offers a vital solution to diabetes and other terminal illnesses. He claimed to have treated numerous diabetic patients with a success rate exceeding 95 per cent.
“Even diabetic ulcers, which often end in amputation, are treatable here at the African Alternative Medicine Hospital using only Halamin Herbal Products,” he said. “We once handled a case at Garki General Hospital in Abuja where a woman’s leg, scheduled for amputation, healed within six days. The doctors were shocked.”
Discussing his body of work developed under Halamin Herbals, Amodu noted: “With 38 years in this field, we have produced extensive research in alternative medicine. We currently have 39 publications in high-impact medical journals.”
He added that his collaboration with Professor Emeje on a product called SABMAL had undergone scrutiny across 156 Commonwealth countries to determine originality. “It was confirmed and certified as unique to us, and the product is now domiciled in South Africa. No one can claim there is insufficient research in this field,” he said.
Amodu also claimed successes in conditions that remain difficult for conventional medicine. “For example, Parkinson’s disease—an area where even the World Health Organisation is still searching for effective treatment—has shown promising results with our combination of four herbal products. Our patients have experienced remarkable improvements.”
He further cited cases of heart enlargement where patients scheduled for open-heart surgery in India saw their conditions resolved after beginning his herbal regimen. “I have had over twenty patients whose enlarged hearts returned to normal without surgery,” he said. “Would anyone still pretend that such outcomes are impossible without going under the knife?”
