Know Your Number; Control Your Number campaign: Nigeria

Know Your Numbers; Control Your Numbers is a landmark nationwide health initiative designed to screen 10 million Nigerians for risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly high blood pressure and high blood glucose, implemented across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This policy paper presents insights from screening 1,551,394 individuals. Blood pressure was measured using the WHO HEARTS threshold (≥140/90 mmHg), and blood glucose was assessed using random testing (≥200 mg/dL). Measurements represent single-point screening findings and are not diagnostic.

Overall, 12% of participants had high blood pressure and 22% had high blood glucose. Both indicators rose with age: high blood pressure from 3.7% (18-29 years) to 23% (50+ years); high blood glucose from 20% to 24%. Males had marginally higher blood pressure (13% vs 12%), while females had higher blood glucose (23% vs 20%). Substantial geographic variation was observed: the North-West recorded the highest high blood pressure (15%) and the South-East the highest high blood glucose (47%). State-level rates ranged from 6.6% (FCT) to 19% (Plateau) for blood pressure, and from 1.4% (Nasarawa) to 50% (Delta) for blood glucose.

These findings provide an unprecedented national snapshot of NCD risk patterns. Extreme geographic variations may reflect demographic, methodological, or contextual factors and warrant further investigation. The campaign reinforces the urgent need for sustained, standardized screening, stronger integration of primary health care, and data-driven approaches to NCD prevention and control in Nigeria.