Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that 361 deaths from cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) were recorded between 2023 and 2024.
This toll comes from a total of 4,915 suspected cases and 380 confirmed cases across 174 local government areas in 24 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It is instructive to note that CSM occurs due to acute inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord, which may be triggered by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, certain drugs, or injuries. CSM is an epidemic-prone disease, with cases reported year-round in Nigeria.
CSM is not new to Nigeria. The highest burden of CSM is concentrated in the “Meningitis Belt,” which includes all 19 states in the northern region, the FCT, and some southern states, such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun.
Each year, the arrival of the dry season brings with it a spike in CSM cases, as dust, winds, and respiratory infections create ideal conditions for the rapid spread of this infection. Yet despite our familiarity with this threat, it seems we have yet to mount an effective, sustained response.
The numbers alone are cause for alarm. Over 4,900 suspected cases in just two years—a figure that likely underestimates the true scale of the problem, given the challenges of disease surveillance and reporting in many parts of the country. And the human toll is staggering—361 lives lost, each one a devastating tragedy for families and communities. These are not just statistics; they are our fellow citizens, our neighbors, our children.
What makes this outbreak all the more troubling is that CSM is, in many ways, a preventable disease. We have the knowledge, tools, and resources to combat it.
According to the NCDC, 2,281,750 doses of the meningitis vaccine Men5CV-ACWYX were administered in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe states, covering 134 wards in 13 local government areas. The vaccination campaign targeted individuals aged 1 to 29, comprising approximately 70% of the population.
In our view, the NCDC’s vaccination campaign in these high-risk states, reaching over 2.2 million people, is a step in the right direction. But it is clear that this effort has not been enough to stem the tide.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that CSM disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations—young children, those living in overcrowded conditions, and communities with poor access to healthcare and sanitation. These are the very people who often slip through the cracks of our public health system, leaving them exposed and unprotected.
But the responsibility for this crisis does not lie solely with these communities. It lies with policymakers, public health authorities, and society as a whole.
Sadly, governments at all levels have failed to prioritise the fight against CSM, to invest in robust surveillance, to ensure universal access to life-saving vaccines, and to educate the public on prevention and early detection.
Needless to say, the battle against meningitis cannot be won through vaccines and improved healthcare access alone. The NCDC’s warning about the role of environmental and behavioral factors, from overcrowded living conditions to poor hygiene practices, underscores the need for a more holistic, multifaceted approach.
Investing in initiatives that improve sanitation, promote better ventilation in homes, and educate communities on infection prevention will be essential complements to clinical interventions. By addressing the social determinants of health that fuel the spread of meningitis, Nigeria can take meaningful strides toward building resilient, disease-resistant communities.
The tragic reality is that this is not the first time Nigeria has faced the scourge of meningitis, nor will it be the last. But each outbreak, each life lost, serves as a clarion call that cannot be ignored. The time has come for Nigeria to move beyond reactive, stop-gap measures and embrace a comprehensive, long-term strategy to combat this persistent public health threat.
From the halls of government to remote villages, all Nigerians must recognise that the fight against meningitis is a fight for the very soul of the nation. By committing the necessary resources, political will, and community-driven solutions, we can transform this epidemic from a perennial scourge into a manageable, preventable challenge.
The lives of 361 fellow Nigerians have already been lost. We owe it to them, and to all those who will come after, to ensure that this tragedy does not repeat itself.
