ABUJA, Nigeria- Millions of Nigerians are believed to be living with schistosomiasis, with public health experts warning that the country remains one of the most affected globally, particularly in rural communities with limited access to clean water and healthcare.
Public health analyst Musa Abdullahi Sufi told Africa Health Report on Sunday that Nigeria carries an estimated 20 to 25 million infections, describing the burden as both widespread and largely hidden.
He said women and girls are among the most vulnerable but are frequently missed in diagnosis and treatment, especially in cases of female genital schistosomiasis.
“They are frequently underdiagnosed, especially with female genital schistosomiasis, which can affect reproductive health, fertility, and increase HIV vulnerability,” Sufi said.
He explained that routine activities such as farming, bathing, and washing in contaminated water sources continue to expose rural populations to infection, sustaining transmission cycles across communities.
Sufi also warned that weak diagnostic capacity in many health facilities is worsening outcomes, with symptoms often mistaken for sexually transmitted infections.
“Women’s genital symptoms are often misdiagnosed as sexually transmitted infections,” he added.
Despite the scale of infection, schistosomiasis remains low on Nigeria’s public health priority list, with limited funding, weak surveillance systems, and low public awareness hampering control efforts.
Health experts are calling for urgent expansion of mass drug administration programmes, improved screening for women and girls, and stronger investment in clean water and sanitation infrastructure.
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