Medical experts and health stakeholders have expressed worry over the rising number of lupus cases in Nigeria, noting that limited public awareness and persistent misconceptions about the chronic autoimmune disease are worsening outcomes for patients. The concerns were highlighted during the 2026 World Lupus Day awareness campaign themed “Steps for Change,” organised by the LUREG Support Foundation in Lagos as part of activities marking Lupus Awareness Month.
At the event tagged “Walk with Lupus Communities,” Nigeria’s first paediatric rheumatologist and consultant paediatrician, Dr. Ayodele Faleye, called for sustained public education to address widespread ignorance about the condition. Faleye observed that many people living with lupus are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late due to poor understanding of the disease among members of the public and even some healthcare professionals.He therefore urged stronger collaboration between government agencies, health institutions, advocacy groups, and the media to sensitise Nigerians on the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options associated with lupus.
In her remarks, Dr. Okeke Florentina emphasised the need for early diagnosis and holistic support systems to enhance the wellbeing of people living with the condition. She explained that prompt medical attention is crucial in preventing complications and reducing the severity of the disease. The Executive Director of the foundation and lupus survivor, Fauzat Sanusi, also decried the heavy financial burden faced by patients in managing the illness. She noted that the cost of diagnosis, laboratory tests, and treatment remains unaffordable for many Nigerians, especially as several specialised tests are not readily accessible within the country.
Sanusi called on the government to boost investment in healthcare infrastructure, expand access to diagnostic facilities, and support awareness campaigns to improve public understanding of lupus. The General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, also expressed concern over the growing number of lupus cases in Nigeria, adding that the state government, through its teaching hospital, is intensifying efforts to address the challenge. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting lupus communities and strengthening public awareness campaigns on the disease. Other stakeholders who spoke at the event said the campaign was necessary amid rising concerns over increasing cases of lupus and the low level of awareness across the country. World Lupus Day, observed globally on May 10, is dedicated to the theme “Make Lupus Visible,” aimed at drawing attention to the impact of the disease, improving patient care, and encouraging greater investment in research worldwide.
