A Consultant Neurologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Founder of Brain Centre Neurocritical and Rehabilitation Services, Ibadan, Dr. Temitope Farounbi, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address Nigeria’s rising dementia burden, warning that the country risks a major public health crisis if urgent interventions are not implemented.

Farombi said Nigeria must develop a National Dementia Plan, strengthen public awareness, expand specialist care and improve support for patients and caregivers to prepare for the country’s growing ageing population.

Speaking during an interview with The Guardian in Ibadan, the neurologist noted that although Nigeria has a predominantly youthful population, between eight and 10 per cent of Nigerians, about 20 million people, are aged 60 years and above, placing them at increased risk of developing dementia.

According to her, public awareness of dementia remains poor, particularly among people with limited formal education, resulting in delayed diagnosis, stigma and increased burden on families and communities.

“The burden of dementia in Nigeria is becoming increasingly serious. We have a large and growing population at risk, yet awareness remains very low. Nigeria also lacks a National Dementia Plan. The best time to have introduced one was yesterday; the next best time is today,” she said.

Farombi, a United Kingdom-trained medical scholar, explained that such a national plan would address the medical, social and welfare needs of people living with dementia while providing structured support for families and caregivers.

She cautioned Nigerians against dismissing dementia as a normal consequence of ageing, stressing that the condition is a disease of the brain rather than a natural part of growing old.

“Ageing is a normal physiological process. Some degree of forgetfulness may occur, but people can still function independently. Dementia, however, is a brain disease. It causes memory loss alongside a decline in a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities such as managing finances, personal care and routine responsibilities,” she explained.

The neurologist urged families to seek prompt medical attention when older relatives begin to exhibit persistent forgetfulness, difficulty recognising familiar people or places, repeated questioning or getting lost in familiar environments.

“When these symptoms appear, early diagnosis is essential because it leads to better care and improved outcomes,” she said.

Farombi described caring for people living with dementia as financially and emotionally demanding, noting that many family members are forced to sacrifice employment and income to provide full-time care.

She also identified transportation costs, prolonged caregiving and societal stigma as major challenges confronting affected families.
She called on the government to increase public awareness about dementia, establish clear referral pathways for specialist care and include dementia diagnosis and treatment under health insurance coverage.

According to her, the government should also intensify efforts to prevent and manage hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, which are recognised risk factors for dementia.
The consultant neurologist also expressed concern over Nigeria’s shortage of neurological specialists, revealing that fewer than 100 neurologists currently serve a population of over 200 million people.

She advocated reforms to strengthen the country’s referral system, recommending that every Nigerian should be attached to a primary healthcare physician while specialist services remain linked through an efficient referral network.

Farombi also proposed the establishment of Brain Health Desks in local government areas and disease-specific training for primary healthcare workers in dementia, epilepsy and headache management to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

She said expanding health insurance coverage for neurological disorders was critical because many of the conditions are chronic, disabling and too expensive for patients to manage through out-of-pocket payments.

The neurologist also highlighted the role of technology in improving access to neurological care, noting that telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could support diagnosis and bridge the gap between specialists and patients in underserved communities.

She urged governments across Africa to invest more in young people by promoting brain health education, preventing substance abuse and equipping healthcare workers with the skills needed to manage neurological disorders.

Farombi maintained that prevention should remain the country’s priority, insisting that investing in brain health and reducing risk factors would ultimately cost far less than treating neurological diseases after they develop.