Nigeria is currently battling a growing outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), particularly caused by the serogroup C strain of meningococcus. The disease, which has long been a seasonal threat in parts of West Africa, has intensified in severity over the past year, emerging as one of the most urgent public health challenges the country faces today.
Between 2024 and 2025, the epidemic has swept across multiple states, with the northern region reporting an overwhelming 94 percent of the country’s suspected cases. The situation has reached alarming levels. Punch reported that out of 1,826 suspected cases, 126 have been confirmed, and 151 people have died — a sharp rise from the previously reported 74 fatalities.
The majority of those affected are children between the ages of five and fourteen, placing Nigeria’s younger population at particular risk.
According to a 2025 report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the disease has spread rapidly across 23 states, with ten northern states bearing the brunt. Among the hardest hit are Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Gombe. These states have recorded hundreds of suspected cases, while sporadic outbreaks have also been reported in parts of the south.
Source: Nimet
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2024 update, linked the rise in cases directly to serogroup C, reporting over 1,700 suspected infections, 101 confirmed cases, and a death toll that has reached 153 across all 36 states, including major outbreaks in Adamawa, Zamfara, and Bauchi. The disease, spread primarily through respiratory droplets, causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often leading to high fever, stiff neck, headaches, and neurological complications. In young children, symptoms may include irritability and a bulging soft spot on the head.
Health experts have pointed to a number of underlying factors contributing to the surge in cases. The hot, dry, and dusty weather typical of northern Nigeria during the dry season has created a perfect environment for transmission. Other factors such as low immunization coverage, poor sanitation, overcrowded living conditions, and malnutrition have further exacerbated the crisis. Compounding the issue is a weakened healthcare system, which continues to strain under the weight of recurring disease outbreaks including malaria, cholera, and Lassa fever.
Access to timely medical care remains a significant barrier. Delayed hospital visits and poor awareness about early symptoms have been linked to the high fatality rate. The country’s ability to respond has also been hindered by cuts in international health funding, including a reduction in U.S. aid under the Trump administration, which previously supported epidemic preparedness and disease surveillance initiatives.
In response to the escalating crisis, the NCDC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and state governments, has activated emergency response teams in affected areas. These efforts include strengthening disease surveillance, data collection, and launching public awareness campaigns to educate communities about symptoms, prevention, and the importance of early medical intervention.
Support has also come from international partners. The global vaccine alliance, Gavi, recently donated over one million vaccine doses to Nigeria to assist with immunization efforts. In a joint statement released alongside UNICEF and the World Health Organization, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing epidemic response as a pillar of national health security.
Some state governments have taken further steps. In Kebbi State, for instance, Governor Nasir Idris allocated ₦30 million toward the purchase of drugs and other medical supplies to curb the spread of the disease. Médecins Sans Frontières has also been active in the field, conducting public education exercises and supporting vaccination campaigns in communities such as those in Gombe State.
PC: A campaign exercise carried out by Médecine Sans Frontières at Gombe State
As the dry season continues, public health officials are urging citizens to take necessary precautions. While public hygiene and reduced exposure to crowded spaces are vital, vaccination remains the most effective tool in stopping the spread. Ongoing campaigns are targeting children and young adults in high-risk areas, but officials warn that much more needs to be done to contain the outbreak and prevent future waves.
Nigeria’s meningitis crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustained investment in public health infrastructure, equitable vaccine access, and a coordinated national response capable of withstanding the pressures of seasonal epidemics.
For more information on safety guidelines, symptoms, and vaccination schedules, the NCDC advises citizens to visit their official website or contact local health authorities.
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