‘Why more Nigerians are slumping, dying’

Across courtrooms, football pitches, classrooms, examination centres and offices and streets, a disturbing pattern has continued to unsettle Nigerians in recent months. Although there are no official records on the number of sudden deaths in the country, public information in the media space indicates rising cases. In the last six months, reports of people suddenly […]

Across courtrooms, football pitches, classrooms, examination centres and offices and streets, a disturbing pattern has continued to unsettle Nigerians in recent months.

Although there are no official records on the number of sudden deaths in the country, public information in the media space indicates rising cases.

In the last six months, reports of people suddenly collapsing and dying have emerged from different parts of the country, triggering concern among health experts and ordinary citizens alike.

In many of the cases, the victims reportedly showed little or no sign of severe illness before the incidents. Some were at work, others exercising, teaching, attending meetings or simply carrying out routine activities when tragedy struck.

The recurring incidents have reignited conversations about cardiovascular diseases, stress, poor nutrition, undiagnosed medical conditions and the declining state of preventive health care in Nigeria.

Various medical experts, including cardiologists, who were approached by Weekend Trust for comments, insisted that while not every sudden death can immediately be linked to a single cause, many of the cases share common warning signs associated with hypertension, cardiac arrest, stroke, diabetes, poor lifestyle habits and delayed access to medical care.

For families left behind, however, the deaths represent more than statistics; they are painful reminders of lives abruptly cut short.

 

A trail of sudden deaths

One of the latest incidents involved a Federal High Court judge attached to the Kano Division, Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, who reportedly slumped and died at his residence.

In Ogun State, a 500-level Building Technology student of Covenant University, Toluwase Jesutunmise, reportedly died after collapsing during a football training session on April 6, 2026.

Barely weeks later, members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Gwagwalada, Abuja, were thrown into mourning after Jessey A. Audu reportedly slumped and died on his way to work.

On April 20, 2026, a woman identified as Oluwasola Victoria Adebayo reportedly died while waiting for her child writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ondo State.

In the early hours of Friday, April 25, 2026, former Nigerian striker Mike Eneramo also reportedly collapsed and died during a routine fitness training session in Kaduna.

Also in April 2026, the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, announced the sudden death of Oreoluwa Emmanuel Adewole, a Part IV student in the College of Health Sciences. The university said the student reportedly complained of chest pain during a clinical viva examination before the incident.

In Rivers State, a man reportedly collapsed and died while jogging in Eleme on March 3, 2026.

On March 22, 2026, a housewife, Fatima Musa, reportedly slumped and died shortly after eating breakfast in the Paiko community of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

On March 31, 2026, a 52-year-old woman identified as Titilayo reportedly collapsed and died minutes after being arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

Also, in March 2026, there was a report of the death of a lecturer at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Anslem Ojodomo, who collapsed in class while teaching.

On February 28, 2026, a casket maker (name withheld) reportedly died after visiting a female friend at a hotel in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The man was said to have gone to the hotel to meet the woman but collapsed before leaving.

Earlier, on December 16, 2025, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola reportedly slumped and died during a management meeting in Ebonyi State.

The list has continued to grow, spreading fear and concern among Nigerians.

 

Why are more Nigerians dying suddenly?

Medical experts say the answer is complex. According to the Nigerian Cardiac Society, sudden cardiac death (SCD) refers to a natural and unexpected death from heart-related causes occurring within a short period, often within one hour from the onset of symptoms.

The society noted that many victims may appear healthy before the incident.

In a statement issued after several sudden deaths linked to emotional stress during football matches, the president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, Prof Augustine Odili, warned that cardiovascular diseases remain a major threat in Nigeria.

The society stated: “Sudden death can often occur either in the presence or absence of risk factors, many of which are highly prevalent among Nigerians and are also poorly controlled.”

The experts identified hypertension, obesity, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol stress and physical inactivity as major risk factors.

The society added that many Nigerians live with these conditions unknowingly because regular medical screening is poor.

“Hypertension is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke in Nigeria,” the group stated.

The experts warned that warning symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness and fainting episodes are often ignored until it becomes too late.

Cardiologists say hypertension remains one of the biggest contributors to sudden collapse and death in Nigeria.

A study by experts at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital found that stroke and heart failure accounted for the majority of sudden deaths associated with hypertension.

Prof Amam Chinyere Mbakwem and Prof Jane Ajuluchukwu, both cardiologists, noted in findings published by researchers that stroke accounted for 52.8 per cent of hypertension-related sudden deaths while heart failure contributed 40.9 per cent.

The researchers warned that many victims only discover that they have hypertension after complications have already developed.

Medical experts say this trend is worsened by poor health care access, self-medication and economic hardship.

In many communities, people avoid hospital visits because of rising medical costs.

Others rely heavily on painkillers, herbal mixtures and unregulated medications while ignoring persistent symptoms.

Samuel Ike, a professor of cardiology, recently attributed the increasing rate of sudden deaths in Nigeria to poor lifestyle choices, ignorance of warning signs and limited access to health care.

According to him, many Nigerians now consume unhealthy diets filled with processed foods while abandoning healthier local meals.

“By personalising foreign diets over local foods, we opened the door to diseases associated with such diets,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to reduce junk food consumption and eat more fruits and vegetables.

The cardiologist also warned against smoking, drug abuse, excessive alcohol intake and sedentary lifestyles.

“Our lifestyles, such as smoking, hard drugs and alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and rigorous exercises like excessive weight lifting are some of the causes of sudden death,” he stated.

Prof Ike further explained that symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty and irregular heartbeat should never be ignored.

“If a patient has pains in the arm and left side of the chest, there is a threat of death,” he warned.

 

Stress, hardship and the Nigerian reality

Beyond medical conditions, many experts believe the harsh economic climate is contributing to deteriorating public health.

Long working hours, financial pressure, unemployment, insecurity and rising living costs have pushed many Nigerians into chronic stress.

Experts warn that prolonged stress can elevate blood pressure, worsen heart disease and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

A consultant cardiologist, Oladimeji Adebayo, said many Nigerians were physically exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed.

“People are carrying invisible burdens every day. Some sleep only a few hours, survive on unhealthy food and ignore symptoms because they must continue hustling,” he said.

According to him, stress hormones can significantly increase blood pressure and strain the heart.

“When stress becomes chronic, the body pays a price. The heart is usually one of the first organs affected,” he added.

Another cardiologist, Dr Abbas Ibrahim, said many patients arrive at hospitals only after severe complications had developed.

“Some people experience repeated dizziness, chest discomfort and fatigue for months but never go for medical checkups,” he said.

He added that many sudden deaths could be prevented through early diagnosis.

“We need a stronger culture of preventive health care in Nigeria. Most people only visit hospitals when they can no longer function,” he noted.

 

Athletes and young people not immune

One of the most worrying aspects of the trend is that even young and apparently healthy individuals are increasingly affected.

The deaths of footballers and students have renewed concerns about undetected heart conditions among youths.

A sports physician, Bello Yunusa, said intense physical activity could trigger cardiac arrest in people with hidden cardiovascular abnormalities.

“Not everyone who looks fit is medically fit,” he explained.

According to him, some people have inherited heart conditions that may remain undetected until strenuous exercise triggers complications.

“This is why routine medical screening is important, especially for athletes and people involved in competitive sports,” he said.

 

Nutritionists speak

In separate chats with our correspondent, nutritionists opined that diet plays a central role in the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

A nutritionist, Dr Eze Ada, said many young Nigerians relied heavily on fast food, sugary drinks and energy beverages.

“Poor nutrition is silently damaging the health of many young people,” she said.

According to her, unhealthy diets contribute to obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

“The body may appear energetic externally, but internally, several organs may already be under pressure,” she added.

Another nutrition expert, Chika Nwosu, warned against excessive consumption of highly processed foods.

“We have normalised unhealthy eating habits. Many people skip breakfast, eat late at night and consume too much salt and saturated fat,” she said.

She noted that fruits, vegetables, water and regular physical activities remain essential for cardiovascular health.

 

The role of poor emergency response

Experts also blame weak emergency response systems for some avoidable deaths.

In many cases, victims reportedly died before receiving urgent medical attention.

Health professionals said Nigeria still lacked adequate emergency rescue structures, public awareness about CPR and access to life-saving equipment.

The Nigerian Cardiac Society noted that most sudden cardiac deaths occurred outside hospitals.

The group added that fewer than 40 per cent were witnessed early enough for immediate intervention.

Robsam Ohayi, a professor of Anatomical Pathology and Forensic Medicine, said autopsy and toxicology investigations remained critical in understanding sudden deaths.

He urged families not to resist medical investigations after unexplained deaths.

“Such tests would help them know whether the cause of death was genetic or otherwise,” he said.

He also called for improved forensic and toxicology laboratories across Nigeria.

A emergency medicine specialist, Dr Hadiza Bello, stressed the importance of public cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

“When someone suddenly collapses, immediate chest compression can sometimes save the person before professional help arrives,” she explained.

According to her, many Nigerians panic during emergencies because they lack basic life-saving knowledge.

“We need CPR awareness in schools, offices, churches, mosques and public institutions,” she said.