The Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) has joined the global community to commemorate this year’s Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day (SCI Day) with a call for stronger safety practices to reduce the growing number of preventable falls leading to spinal cord injuries in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, the Interim President of SCIAN, Abdulwahab Matepo, said the 2025 theme, “Fall Prevention, Spinal Cord Protection”, highlights the urgent need to address falls, which remain one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury globally and rank only second to road crashes in developing countries.
Matepo explained that falls could happen to anyone, at any age, and in any setting, whether at home, in the workplace, or in public spaces. He noted that while ageing, medication use, poor eyesight, and impaired mobility make the elderly more vulnerable, the greatest number of fall-related spinal cord injuries in Nigeria result from environmental and behavioural factors. He pointed to construction workers operating without protective gear and the common practice of rushing in or out of bathrooms as examples.
The SCIAN president expressed concern over the rising number of Nigerians exposed to such preventable risks and urged the Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria to instil safety precautions among its members. He further called for employers who disregard safety rules to be held accountable for negligence.
Matepo reminded Nigerians that spinal cord injury has no cure and can only be managed. He lamented the near absence of rehabilitation services in the country, describing management of the condition as extremely difficult. He appealed to government and corporate organisations to support people living with spinal cord injuries and their carers with tools and training to prevent falls and manage risks effectively.
According to him, establishing a standard rehabilitation facility in Nigeria should be given serious attention to alleviate the prevailing challenges faced by affected persons. He added that preventing falls is not only about protecting spinal cords but also about preserving dreams, aspirations, and the ability to live life to the fullest.
