Last week’s #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria saw citizens rally against poor governance and economic challenges, with many expressing deep concerns over the country’s escalating hardships.
A protestor illustrated the severe healthcare crisis by sharing his experience with managing diabetes. “A year ago, I managed my diabetes with a monthly budget of ₦70,000 for insulin and other medical expenses. Today, I spend over ₦180,000 each month—a figure that more than doubles Nigeria’s newly approved minimum wage,” he said.
He emphasized that the rising medical costs are unsustainable for many Nigerians. “In the face of an economic downturn, exacerbated by a weak Naira and skyrocketing inflation rates, the prices of essential goods, including medications, have surged. For people living with diabetes, insulin has become a luxury many cannot afford. For most of the 11.2 million Nigerians living with diabetes, their monthly earnings are insufficient to cover necessities, and the price of treatment has become a death sentence,” he explained.
The protestor stressed that the majority of Nigerians simply cannot afford this. “As a result, many people living with diabetes have resorted to unorthodox medicine, rationing their medications, or abandoning them altogether, at the risk of life-threatening consequences,” he said.
He highlighted the debilitating complications of poorly managed diabetes, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations. “In recent times, insulin has undergone steep price hikes. Costs have more than doubled,” he noted.
In Nigeria, where over 70 percent of the population makes out-of-pocket payments for medical treatment, chronic illness often leaves families impoverished. “The World Health Organisation links the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Nigeria, one of the world’s largest consumers of sugary drinks, sold an estimated 38.6 million liters of SSBs in 2023 alone, generating a market value of $16.87 billion. Despite their health risks, these beverages remain accessible and affordable,” he said.
The protestor, who wished to remain anonymous, described the extensive impact of diabetes on every aspect of life. “In 2017, I lost my job as a health worker when my employer grew dissatisfied with my need for multiple hospital visits every month. My marriage has also suffered; diabetes-induced nerve damage complicates my ability to maintain an erection. I experience blood sugar spikes during long-distance travel, which can degenerate into life-threatening hyperglycemic episodes. I am also stigmatized by close friends and family who feel burdened by my condition,” he shared.
In response to public health advocates, Nigeria introduced a ₦10 per liter SSB tax in 2021 through the Finance Act. “However, this tax rate, currently under two percent of the retail costs, falls below the WHO recommended standards of at least twenty percent. This needs to be raised to effective levels. A higher SSB tax, adjusted for inflation, can deter consumption and help subsidize diabetes treatment, easing the financial burden on patients,” he said.
A health communications specialist highlighted the disparity in funding for public health emergencies. She noted that while other health crises receive support from national and international actors, Nigeria provides no relief for people living with diabetes. Furthermore, she pointed out that the country does little to prevent diabetes through effective policies like sin taxes, nutritional labeling, and public education.
“With a strong SSB tax policy in place, enough revenue can be generated to make insulin and other diabetes treatments accessible to all, saving the lives of millions of Nigerians burdened by this disease. The time to take action is now,” she said.
Another protestor, a secondary school teacher, remarked that his health issues reflect broader national problems. The #EndBadGovernanceProtest calls for urgent reforms, emphasizing the government’s failure to address healthcare affordability and access. “How can we talk about development when our people can’t afford basic medical care?” he questioned.
He argued that the protest shows the need for comprehensive healthcare reform in Nigeria. He urged the government to subsidize essential medications and improve healthcare infrastructure to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
As the #EndBadGovernanceProtest gains momentum, the plight of individuals struggling with the rising costs of managing chronic illnesses like diabetes becomes a rallying cry. The movement calls for systemic change to ensure that all Nigerians can afford essential healthcare, highlighting the intersection of governance, health, and economic stability.
Tens of thousands of Nigerians are protesting under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria banner, demanding better governance, an end to corruption, and relief from rising living costs. The hope is that the plights of the people are considered, and the standard of living improves along with a reduction in the cost of living.
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