Tag: Enugu

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No fewer than 1000 science, technical and vocational teachers in Enugu State are currently undergoing training meant to improve standard and enshrine latest educational innovations in classrooms.

Dr Amaka Ngene, the Chairman of Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB) in Enugu State, revealed this on Monday in Enugu while officially declaring the training open.

The training, which was tagged: “21st Century Pedagogy in Science, Technical and Vocational Education”, started on Aug. 1 and will be ending on Sept. 12, 2025.

Ngene said that the training and other subsequent training would positively reposition learning and lead to better academic outcomes for students in science, technical and vocational schools.

According to him, the training was being organised in partnership with the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu and designed for all teachers in science, technical and vocational schools employed under STVSMB Board.

 

“This training is one of the many ways His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, is preparing our educators (teachers) for 21 century professional growth and being attune to modern innovation and technology.

 

“It also reflects his unweaving commitment to sustaining professionalisation of the teaching profession in Enugu State,” she said.

Ngene said that the board had streamlined the training to ensure that “no teacher who is willing to learn will be left behind”.

She noted that the training would lead to retooling of teachers’ knowledge with innovative and modern teaching skills, adding: “Over some years now, our teachers have not been trained.”

“They are going to learn new approaches to teaching using the ICT, use of other technological devices and practical use of new equipment provided by Gov. Mbah to enhance learning in the state,” she said.

She said that the training had been fully funded by the state government, adding that accommodation had been provided as well.

Earlier, the Provost, Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu, Dr Stella Ekwueme, appreciated Gov. Mbah “for his uncommon stride and commitment to improve education at all levels” in the state.

“Gov. Mbah is building 260 Smart Schools; recently paid arrears owed to staff of this college; funded accreditation of our courses; constructing the Centre of Learning and Innovation; and increased our subvention among others,” Ekwueme said.

She assured the STVSMB Board that the college would abide by all terms in the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with the board as it had set ready its lecturers to deliver on the MoU.

The provost urged the teachers to take the training seriously and ask questions on whatever they do not fully understand, adding: “Practical (hands-on) aspect of the training will be more.”

 

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The Management of the Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) says a significant drop in energy allocation was the reason for power outage in some parts of Enugu State.

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This is contained in a statement on Monday in Enugu by Mainpower Management made available by the Company’s Spokesman, Mr Emeka Ezeh.

The statement explained that for over four days there had been a drop in energy allocation from Mainpower’s parent company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) from the national grid.

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“Mainpower wishes to inform its customers in parts of Enugu State who have been experiencing power outages that the situation is due to a significant drop in energy allocation from our parent company – EEDC.

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“This development is a result of the recent issuance of a new Tariff Order to Mainpower by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC). The Order reduced the tariff for Band A customers from N209.50/kWh to N160.40/kWh.

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“Upon receipt of the Tariff Order, MEDL, by obligation, promptly updated EEDC (our energy supplier).

 

“After analysing the implications of the new tariff, EEDC concluded that implementing it will result in a monthly loss of over N1 billion, which makes it impossible for EEDC to meet her obligations to the Market,” it said.

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According to the statement, consequently, and to mitigate these losses, EEDC made the difficult decision to reduce the volume of energy supplied to Mainpower.

 

The statement noted that the development had unfortunately resulted in Mainpower receiving only about 50 per cent of its usual energy allocation, significantly affecting our ability to serve some of our esteemed customers.

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“It is important to clarify that Mainpower does not receive electricity directly from National Grid.

 

“Instead, we rely solely on EEDC, which holds the vesting contract agreement with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), the organisation responsible for electricity bulk trading.

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“We deeply regret the inconvenience this situation has caused our valued customers.

 

“Please be assured that discussions are ongoing with key stakeholders at the state and Federal levels (including EEDC, EERC, NERC, NISO, and NBET) to quickly resolve this issue.

 

“We are hopeful that a resolution will be reached within the next 48 hours or soon thereafter,” it said.

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It also acknowledged that the communication was coming later than expected due to delay in the short notice with which the company received the full details of the recent development.

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“We appeal for your continued patience, calm and understanding as we work diligently with the relevant authorities to restore normal service as soon as possible,” he said.

 

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The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) and Rangers International Football Club Foundation have created awareness on menstrual hygiene, mental health and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among students in Enugu.

Speaking on Monday during the awareness at Trans-Ekulu Girls Secondary School, Enugu, the Founder of CALMHAF, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, said that the NGOs were adopting “Student-to-Student Initiative (S2Si)” to ensure sustainability and scalability of the programme and other interventions.

Nwachukwu, who said that the awareness was part of the NGOs’ Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign, said that the programme was meant to tackle critical issues surrounding menstrual hygiene, mental health and SGBV self-awareness and personal empowerment among young women.

“By fostering open dialogue and equipping girls (female students) and young women with knowledge and tools, the model aimed to create lasting change in the lives of participants and their communities.

“The first phase of this programme deliberately targeted a select group of 20 girls from Trans Ekulu Girls Secondary School, ensuring a manageable and impactful start; while it will be extended to schools within Enugu State and other states in the country.

“By keeping the cohort small, CALMHAF and Rangers Foundation could closely monitor progress, foster meaningful engagement, and tailor the interventions to the specific needs of the participants.

“The programme was structured to empower these girls (female students) and young women not only as beneficiaries but also as peer educators, capable of sharing their knowledge with others in their school and beyond,” he said.

Nwachukwu, who is an Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, said that the programme marked the beginning of a broader vision and leadership skills by the girls for a ripple effect that would extend to their households, neighbourhoods and communities.

“The Student-to-Student Initiative (S2Si) ensures that the lessons learnt will continue to spread, creating a network of informed and empowered young women who can challenge stigma, advocate for better resources, and support one another,” he said.

Speaking, the Chairman of Rangers Foundation, Coach Ebere Amaraizu,
said that the model covered a range of interconnected topics, which included: menstrual hygiene education; mental health awareness, SGBV solutions and Self-Awareness and Empowerment among others.

Amaraizu noted that trained facilitators from CALMHAF and other professionals led the sessions, employing a mix of pictorial and graphic presentations, group discussions, and hands-on activities to ensure the content was engaging and accessible.

He said that the girls (female students) were encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences, and connect with one another, fostering a sense of sisterhood and mutual support.

One of the benefitting female students, Miss Chiamaka Eze, said that she was eager to share what she had learnt with her peers, families and people within her neighbourhood in order to spread the knowledge.

The Principal of the school, Mrs Rosemary Onunze, thanked the NGOs for selecting the school for the programme, adding that the school authority would also encourage the female students as they become vanguards for change.

The highlights of the programme were a group photograph and issuance of certificate of participation from COLI Mental Health Academy, the educational arm of CALMHAF Foundation, which is an academy accredited by the International Association of Therapists UK.

The accreditation underscores CALMHAF’s/COLI Academy’s credibility and dedication to delivering high-quality, impactful and evidence-based interventions and programmes.

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Fire Fighters from the Enugu State Fire Service have extinguished a fire outbreak in a foam-ladened packing store within Ogbete Main Market, Enugu on Monday.

The swift response of the state fire service denied the fire, from the highly inflammable foam materials, moving from the single packing store affected to hundreds of packing stores and shops within the market at about 1:20 p.m. it started.

The Director of the Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, said that the rapid response of the fire fighting team at about 1:25 p.m. rescued the entire market from a major fire disaster this afternoon.

According to him, within five minutes of receiving the distress call from the Chairman of Enugu North LGA, Dr Ibenaku Onoh, and other concerned citizens, we arrived the scene.

“In less than 10 minutes battling the raging fire with our officers attached to the Ogbete Main Market Fire Station, those from our headquarters in Ogui, market vigilante/security group; we contained the fire from the packing store it started.

“The packing store is on top of the usual shops. So, no trading shop was affected.

“No life was lost. The valuables destroyed were few foams,” he noted.

Ohaa, who is also the Chief Fire Officer of the state, thanked the Chairman and other citizens for their swift call as well as other organisations and individuals that contributed to the extinguishing of the fire.

He attributed the cause of the inferno to probably electrical surge, adding; “We discovered crowded electrical wiring in the affected packing store.”

He, however, urged the authority of Ogbete Main Market to restore the original master plan of the market, which made provision for an access way into the market and a fire station space with its accompanying fire truck and other equipment.

“As I speak to you, the fire truck of the market provided by the state government is at the headquarters; since there is no space to park it in the market.

“And if you do park the truck in the market, there is no access route for it to move swiftly, as traders wares occupy large portion of the major access routes in the market,” he said.

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The Carmelite Women Welfare Initiative (CAWIN), an NGO, says it has produced and donated 10,000 reusable sanitary pads to female inmates nationwide within the past five years.

The Executive Director of CAWIN, Rev. Fr. Jude Isiguzo, disclosed this during a 4-day Capacity Building Workshops for Board, Management and Staff of CAWIN on Wednesday in Enugu.

CAWIN, formerly known as Female Inmates and Returned Citizens (FIRC) Multipurpose Cooperative Society since 2020, is supported technically by Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO) and funded by Misean Cara (an Irish mission support group).

Isiguzo noted that since 2020 the NGO had established training centres and workshops for production of reusable sanitary pads for female inmates (in the custodial centres) and returned citizens (that is, female ex-inmates).

“These training centres and their facilities were set up in Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers States and the FCT Abuja custodial centres within the five years of existence of this NGO.

“This training centres produced and distributed over 10,000 homemade and comfortable reusable sanitary pads for the use of indigent female inmates in the custodial centres free of charge.

“Through these centres, CAWIN have trained 540 female inmates across eight custodial centres in Umuahia, Onitsha, Agbor, Abakiliki, Enugu, Lagos, Jos and Port Harcourt in the production of reusable sanitary pads,” he said.

The executive director said that the NGO had sensitised and improved the knowledge of over 600 female inmates on sexual rights, menstrual health and hygiene management.

“In the course of these years, CAWIN also provided vocational training to over 20 returned (inmates and ex-inmates) citizens in soap making, tailoring and computer literacy.

“Most of them, who are out of incarceration, are doing well by producing and selling these toiletries and home items; while those that learnt computer literacy are engaged with the skill within their neighbourhoods,” he added.

Isiguzo noted that CAWIN aimed to achieve an all-inclusive and safe platform for all female inmates and foreign returned (inmates) serving in custodial centres nationwide and empower those out of incarceration.

“CAWIN will achieve this through empower, reform and re-integrate them into the society above all odds of discrimination and stigmatization,” he added.

 

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No fewer than 105 Individuals, organizations and villages in Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have benefited from a free grant to boost agriculture and local businesses.

 

The individual beneficiaries received between N200,000 and N500,000; each of the community’s seven villages received N1 million and the youths of Mburubu were collectively given a special grant of N3 million to encourage youths enterprise and innovation among others.

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Presenting the cheques in the community on Saturday, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr (Prince) Lawrence Ezeh, said that the gesture was meant to empower the grassroots.

 

Ezeh, who is a royal Prince from the community, said that the wide-reaching intervention aims to boost farming activities, uplift local businesses, and complement Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration’s mission to eradicate poverty from every home in the state.

 

According to him, this initiative is not a political gesture but a deliberate contribution to support Gov. Mbah’s economic vision.

“This is personal money, but I am driven by a shared mission with His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, to ensure that poverty is eradicated from every household in our dear state.

 

“We must ask ourselves every day: how are we supporting the government to bring prosperity to our people?” he said.

 

He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the resources judiciously so that “more people can benefit in the next round,” while calling on wealthy sons and daughters of Enugu State to emulate the gesture and give back to their roots.

“This money is not for lavish spending. It is for farming, for trade, for enterprise. Let it be seed capital that yields harvests of prosperity,” he noted.

 

The commissioner urged Mburubu residents to continue supporting the Gov. Mbah’s programmes; adding “The transformation of Enugu State requires unity of purpose. Let us walk hand in hand with the government.”

 

He, however, assured the community that more interventions would come if the funds are used wisely; adding: “This is only the beginning. Let these yield harvests of success that will multiply opportunities for all.”

The seven villages in the community, which included: Umudara, Uhuegbe, Uhuagu, Obinagu, Umunafor, Amanator, Amachi received N1 million each while both the men and women of the Umuogbuewu family among others got N1 million each.

 

Community members welcomed the gesture and support with visible gratitude, describing the grants as “timely and transformative.”

 

Chief Emmanuel Edeh, a beneficiary, praised Ezeh’s commitment to grassroots development.

 

Edeh said, “He is not just talking about change — he is making it happen.”

 

Another beneficiary, Mrs Cecilia Aniobi, who received N300,000, said, “This is the first time many of us are getting direct support without political strings.

 

Aniobi said that the grant would help her expand her cassava farm.

 

Among the notable individual beneficiaries were artisans, small-scale farmers, traders, and traditional community leaders; while Ezeh’s gesture comes at a time when food security and small business growth are central to Gov. Mbah’s strategic development plan for Enugu State.

By aligning his personal philanthropy with public policy, Ezeh had positioned himself as a leading example of public-private synergy in community development.

List of beneficiaries included:

Ogbonna Chukwu – N200,000

Chief Ralph Imeka – N200,000

Chief Denis Aniobi – N200,000

Okonkwo Ogbonna – N200,000

Blessing Aniobi – N200,000

Fredrick Aniobi – N200,000

Victoria Chukwu – N200,000

Chimezie Nwogho – N200,000

Blessing Okafor – N200,000

Maria Chidebe – N200,000

Cletus Egbo – N200,000

Florence Chukwu – N200,000

Nwachukwu Dorathy – N200,000

Mercy Edeh – N200,000

Augustine Edeh – N200,000

Ekene Chukwu – N200,000

Elias Okeke – N200,000

Augustine Nwachukwu – N200,000

Amaechi Romanus – N200,000

Nwanzi Joseph – N200,000

Roseline Chukwu – N200,000

Baby Paul – N200,000

Nneka Nwokike – N200,000

Linus Nwankwo – N200,000

Alfred Nwigwe – N200,000

Charles Aniobi – N200,000

Onovo Jonas – N200,000

Chukwu Ambrose – N200,000

Peter Chukwu (sir pee) – N200,000

Anthony Chibuikem Mbah – N200,000

Joy Oluchi Nwankwo – N200,000

Chukwu Ndubuisi – N200,000

Chima Omah – N200,000

Peter Okeke – N200,000

Gabriel Onovo – N200,000

Esther Enyim – N200,000

Emmanuel Njoku – N200,000

Florence Nwaju – N200,000

Onyema Eze – N200,000

Edwin Udeh – N200,000

Lawrence Edeh Aniobi – N200,000

Josephine Nwafor – N200,000

Aniebo Chukwu – N200,000

Benedict Onu – N200,000

Ogbonna Aniobi – N200,000

Susanna Aniobi – N200,000

Edwin Aniobi – N200,000

Felicia Chukwu – N200,000

John Egbo – N200,000

Elizabeth Nwogbo – N200,000

Onu Elizabeth – N200,000

Helen Aniobi – N200,000

Paul Njoku – N200,000

Cecilia Aniobi U – N200,000

Mary Nwafor – N200,000

Onyemaechi John – N300,000

Helen Onyeabor – N300,000

Christopher Edeonu D.P.G – N300,000

Chief Everist Edeani – N300,000

High Chief Cornelius Aniobi – N300,000

Patrick Chukwuorji – N300,000

Cecilia Edu Amobi – N300,000

Emmanuel Abraham Aniobi – N300,000

Eze Cecilia – N300,000

Chukwu Helen Eze – N300,000

Onyeabor Ekwueme – N300,000

Okoro Ogonna – N300,000

Nwigwe Tochukwu – N300,000

Chukwu Mercy – N300,000

Onyeabor Kelvin – N300,000

Okorie Stephen – N300,000

Onyeabor Sunday – N300,000

Owe Ikechukwu – N300,000

Godwin Nworie – N300,000

Onuvo Nwadibie – N300,000

Peter Onu – N300,000

Chief Okonkwo Agwu – N300,000

Virgina Okorie Eze – N300,000

Lolo Ogechukwu Ede – N300,000

Lady B – N300,000

Ozo John Nwosu – N300,000

Cecilia Okafor – N300,000

Ezinne Precious Nwodo – N300,000

Uche Chukwu – N300,000

Ikechukwu Indubisi – N300,000

Ikechukwu Anyim – N300,000

Edwin Uden – N300,000

Roselin Okeke – N300,000

Ambros Amiobi – N300,000

Okudiri Dominic Ogbu – N300,000

Chief Kingsley Eze – N300,000

Alhaji Raymond Nwachukwu – N300,000

Jeff Okuta – N500,000

Linus Igbuolu – N500,000

Simon Aniobi – N500,000

Joseph Onu – N500,000

Emma Ede – N500,000

Joseph Nwonkwo – N500,000

Okechukwu Chukwudike – N500,000

King David – N500,000

Okeke Michael – N500,000

Chief Geodge Enyim – N500,000

High Chief Sunday Chinwuba – N500,000

Emmanuel Ezeh – N500,000

Abata Anari – N500,000

Umudara Village – N1,000,000

Uhuegbe Village – N1,000,000

Uhuagu Village – N1,000,000

Obinagu Village – N1,000,000

Umunafor Village – N1,000,000

Amanator Village – N1,000,000

Amachi Village – N1,000,000

Umuogbuewu Family Men – N1,000,000

Umuogbuewu Family Women – N1,000,000

Mburubu Youths – N3,000,000.

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Enugu State Government has hailed youths in Enugu State for coming out en mass and contributing to the huge success of the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2025).

The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, gave the appreciation while giving a preliminary report on the just-concluded ETF 2025 on Thursday in Enugu.

The just concluded three-day tech-innovative festival, which is tagged: “Coal to Code”, was held between May 7 and May 9, 2025.

The festival featured federal ministers, tech-innovative moguls, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, exhibitors and government functionaries at all levels speaking and encouraging the youths to stick to tech-innovation.

According to Ezeh, I have to give thumbs up to youths in Enugu State as they have proven quite well that they are highly interested in tech and innovation.

He said that the festival had 15,000 youths duly registered, adding that they paid for their transport to the venue, stayed put till closing time and listened attentively to all presentations made to gain knowledge and insight.

The commissioner said that the ministry was able to manage the surge in number of participants by 250 youths’ volunteers and 90 ETF brand ambassadors, who worked seriously hard and free-of-charge, for the three days.

“For the first day, we recorded an overwhelming 15,000 youths converging at the venue, which put some level of strains on resources at the centre.

“The second day, we had over 6,000; and same number on the third day. They remained patient and attentively throughout the duration of the festival,” he said.

The commissioner said that the organization was superb and every aspect including power supply and medicals well taken care of.

He said that there was a standby ambulance and para-medics on ground.

Ezeh noted that throughout the festival, the ministry saw the youths’ hunger for learning and being path of the tech and innovation movement devoid of any immediate inducement.

He said, “Previously, you only see youths going to places to have fun and join in a musical jamborees and other places where freebies and political largesse are shared.

“But we have seen the reverse; and this is a good development for the state and entire country as our youths’ orientation is now on positive engagement and focusing on the real deal.

“We assured them training, which we have started to link them up to.

“They will be attached them to tech and innovative mentors while the festival provided the opportunities for them to network and connect with youths with same progressive mind and passion.”

 

The Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of technology evolution to enhance their economic fortunes, get engaged, create wealth and build digital empires.

Ekeh said this in Enugu on the sidelines of the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival 2025 which had as its theme: Coal to Code.

He said that in this internet-driven generation, no young person is created by God Almighty to be poor.

Ekeh urged youths, especially those in Enugu, to engage in tech-innovative and solution activities because ‘`we are in the tech-innovation knowledge economy era”.

He urged them to use their smart phones and other digital devices at their disposal to engage to create wealth for themselves.

According to him, this is a century of tech-innovative results, adding that no one was created by God to be poor in this century.

He, however, called on governments to invest in critical tech-innovative infrastructure to the benefit of young people.

Ekeh also challenged South-East governors to invest in infrastructure for digital wealth creation.

“The world is currently heading towards full digital economy. Digital wealth is the new mega wealth that rewards efforts in a short while.

“But there must be a deliberate and intentional investment as well as positive move and action to drag youths towards this direction,” he said.

Ekeh commended Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for embracing tech-innovation in such areas as security, civil service administration, education and health sectors.

“I must commend His Excellency, Gov. Peter Mbah, for making Enugu State’s transformation to be centred on tech-innovation as well as investing heavily on it for the future of the state.

“For now, the government and most people will not understand the huge fire and hunger for tech-innovative ideas being propelled in these youths.

“They are eager to be part of the tech-innovative movement. The next few months or years will tell the story of this investment,’’ he said.

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The Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called on government at all levels and health stakeholders to cover widening gap in asthma treatment and management in Nigeria.

 

The Founder of the Foundation, Prof. Chiwuike Uba, made the call in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Enugu, on the 2025 World Asthma Day, themed: “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All.”

 

Uba, who is a development economist, said that in Nigeria, Asthma was becoming increasingly prevalent, with studies indicating general prevalence ranging from 5.12 per cent to 14.7 per cent, and some projections expecting to rise even further by 2025.

 

He said that Africa was seeing a significant increase in asthma cases, with estimates ranging from 1 per cent to 53 per cent across various populations and age groups, with urbanisation and rising levels of air pollution remained key drivers of this trend.

 

“Beyond the numbers are the heartbreaking stories of people silently struggling to breathe.

 

“These are children who miss school due to frequent asthma attacks, parents who must choose between feeding their families and buying medication, and elderly people in remote areas unable to access even basic healthcare.

 

“Their pain and resilience often go unnoticed, hidden beneath the surface of national statistics. These silent battles must be brought to light if we are to make lasting change,” he said.

 

According to him, the cost of managing asthma in Nigeria has skyrocketed, placing essential medications out of reach for the vast majority of patients.

 

Uba noted that a basic Short-Acting Beta-Agonist (SABA) inhaler, commonly used to relieve acute asthma symptoms, now costs between ₦5,000 and ₦8,500; while Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which are critical for long-term asthma control, are often unaffordable for many.

 

“Combination inhalers that include both ICS and long-acting beta-agonists (LABA)—recommended for moderate to severe asthma—can range from ₦34,500 to ₦70,000 per unit.

 

“For context, Nigeria’s national minimum wage is ₦70,000 per month. Expecting a person to allocate an entire month’s salary—or more—on a single inhaler is not only unjust, it is inhumane.

 

“For clarity, these medications include examples such as salbutamol for SABA, budesonide or beclomethasone for ICS, and formoterol combined with ICS for combination therapies.

 

“These are not brands but standard pharmacological agents essential for effective asthma management,” he said.

 

The founder noted that the reasons behind this crisis are complex but not insurmountable; adding that the depreciation of the Naira had made imported medicines significantly more expensive.

 

Uba also said that the exit of major pharmaceutical companies like GSK had further reduced market competition, creating scarcity and inflating prices.

 

He added that the Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported medications also exacerbates costs, with high operational expenses compounding the problem.

 

He said, “These issues are unfolding in a country where poverty is widespread. The World Bank has revealed that 75.5 per cent of rural dwellers in Nigeria live below the poverty line, alongside 41.3 per cent of the urban population.

 

“More than 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. When individuals must choose between feeding their families and purchasing asthma medication, the result is delayed treatment, deteriorating health, and, in too many cases, death.”

 

Uba said that the inadequate healthcare infrastructure and investment further deepens the crisis, adding: “Nigeria has approximately 40,400 hospitals and clinics, of which 34,385—or 85.1 per cent —are classified as Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.”

 

He said that over 80 per cent of these PHCs are not functional, due to poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and lack of essential medical supplies.

 

“The quality of available care is another concern. Many PHCs lack the essential equipment, medicines, and trained personnel needed to manage chronic conditions like asthma.

 

“The essential medicines list (EML) in Nigeria is outdated, continuing to include oral salbutamol and corticosteroids, which are not recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to their adverse side effects.

 

“Oral salbutamol, for example, is associated with tremors, cardiac arrhythmias, and a higher risk of asthma exacerbation and mortality.

 

“Yet, it remains more readily available than modern inhaled therapies, likely due to a combination of cost, ignorance, and outdated prescribing practices,” he added.

 

Uba noted that Nigeria currently lacks a comprehensive national guideline on asthma management, adding that in the absence of standardised, evidence-based protocols, healthcare providers often rely on outdated or inconsistent treatment methods.

 

He said that the gap in policy and guidance contributes to poor disease control, increased health disparities, and unnecessary suffering. Establishing and disseminating national asthma management guidelines must be treated as an urgent health policy priority.

 

“Environmental pollution further exacerbates the asthma crisis. Nigeria faces some of the worst air quality levels in the world, particularly in urban centers like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

 

“Vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and the widespread use of biomass fuels for cooking contribute to dangerously high levels of particulate matter in the air.

 

“Compounding this is the persistent practice of gas flaring in the Niger Delta, which releases massive amounts of harmful pollutants including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.

 

“These pollutants not only worsen asthma symptoms but also contribute to the development of respiratory diseases in previously healthy individuals.

 

“Addressing pollution—especially through stricter environmental regulations and the enforcement of anti-flaring laws—is essential to reducing the asthma burden in Nigeria,” he added.