A prominent Nigerian health organization has issued an urgent appeal to the National Assembly, calling for immediate legislative action to address what it describes as a growing brain health crisis affecting the African continent.
The $54 Billion Brain Health Crisis
The Brain Health Initiative Nigeria, based in Ibadan, revealed that Africa is losing an estimated $54 billion yearly due to brain health disorders and their impact on productivity. The organization delivered this stark warning through a formal letter transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
According to the communication sent by Dr Temitope Farombi, Executive Director of the Initiative and a practicing neurologist, African nations face $10 billion in direct healthcare spending on brain health disorders annually. Even more significantly, an additional $44 billion is lost to productivity decline, creating a substantial economic burden on the continent.
Urgent Call for Legislative Action
The appeal, transmitted through the Clerk of the House on November 21, 2025, emphasizes the critical need to recognize brain health as a foundational pillar of human capital development. Dr Farombi cited the recent G20 Brain Policy Paper (2025) to underscore the urgency of the situation.
The neurologist warned that failure to act would deepen national vulnerability, particularly concerning given Nigeria's current demographic shifts. The country is experiencing both a growing youth population and increasing burden of age-related brain disorders, creating a dual challenge that requires immediate policy attention.
Five Priority Areas for National Reform
The Africa Task Force on Brain Health, coordinated by the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative and supported by global experts, has identified five critical areas that should guide national reforms across the continent.
The priority interventions include:
- Combating low birth weight and improving maternal health
- Enhancing education and cognitive development programs
- Supporting cardiovascular health initiatives
- Addressing hearing loss through early detection and treatment
- Advancing breakthrough treatments and digital innovations in healthcare
These recommendations provide a comprehensive framework for integrating brain health and brain capital development into Nigeria's health, education, and economic policies. The Brain Health Initiative Nigeria believes that legislative action in these areas could significantly reduce the economic burden while improving the overall wellbeing of Nigeria's population.
The organization's appeal comes at a critical time when Nigeria is reevaluating its public health strategies and economic development plans. By incorporating brain health considerations into these fundamental policy areas, the country could potentially save billions in healthcare costs while boosting national productivity and human capital development.
