The Federal Government has unveiled Project 365, a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating hepatitis by 2030, citing the disease’s annual economic toll of ₦10.3 trillion to ₦17.9 trillion.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced the initiative on Monday in Abuja during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2025, themed “Hepatitis Can’t Wait – Test. Treat. Eliminate.”
Represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health, Pate stated that the campaign will prioritise mass screening, treatment, and vaccination in all communities, especially among underserved and high-risk populations.
“Over 18.2 million Nigerians are living with hepatitis B, while 2.5 million have hepatitis C. This silent epidemic, often mistaken for malaria, leads to delayed diagnosis and preventable deaths,” Pate said.
National Elimination Strategy
To support the initiative, the government has created the Viral Elimination Fund (VEL) to:
Scale up testing and treatment access,
Reduce transmission,
Improve affordability and healthcare access,
Support local pharmaceutical production through tax incentives and regulatory reforms.
Pilot interventions are already underway in three correctional centres in Gombe State, supported by global health firm Abbott and other partners.
Free testing was also launched at the National Assembly, encouraging lawmakers and staff to get screened and back legislative funding for hepatitis elimination.
Global & National Stakeholder Support
In a goodwill message delivered by Mr. Adeyeye Ajayi on behalf of General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s Presidential Ambassador for Viral Hepatitis, the former Head of State urged Nigerians to unite in the fight against hepatitis. He commended the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, and development partners for their continued support.
Dr. Titilola Munkail, National Coordinator for Africa CDC, represented by Dr. Oluyinka Olayemi, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s leadership on hepatitis elimination, noting the country’s role in setting the pace for other African nations.
WHO’s Dr. Mya Ngon also applauded Nigeria’s progress and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to collaborative efforts focused on testing, vaccination, and treatment.
“Persistent challenges remain, but we’re encouraged by efforts to reduce treatment costs and increase local drug production,” Ngon said.
Correctional Centre Campaigns and Public Health Integration
Dr. Ibrahim Ehizogie, representing the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), reported that since December 2024, over 830 inmates at Kuje Custodial Centre had been tested, with the initiative expanding to cover all 300 custodial centres nationwide.
“Without addressing hepatitis in prisons, total elimination remains unachievable,” he stated.
Dr. Adebola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), described Project 365 as a community-driven, year-long campaign covering all 360 constituencies, offering free hepatitis B and C testing, treatment, and vaccination.
He noted Nigeria’s prevalence rate of viral hepatitis at 8.4%, with hepatitis B at 8.1% and hepatitis C at 1.21%, affecting over 21 million Nigerians.
Funding & Sustainability
The World Hepatitis Fund will be merged into a broader Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) under the Ministry of Health, backed by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) for sustainable and flexible financing.
“This is only Day One. We are committed to seeing this through and eliminating hepatitis in Nigeria,” Bashorun affirmed.
The 2025 World Hepatitis Day theme underscores the urgency of increasing access to testing and treatment, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 and the WHO Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
