AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

Nigeria remains one of the countries with the world’s lowest life expectancy, with the latest United Nations demographic estimates putting the average lifespan at about 54.6 years.

The figures in the United Nations World Population Prospects data show that Nigerian men have an estimated life expectancy of about 54.3 years, while women are expected to live about 54.9 years.

The figures place Nigeria slightly below Chad, where average life expectancy is estimated at about 55.2 years, and among countries with some of the poorest longevity outcomes globally, including South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Lesotho.

Nigeria’s average is also significantly below the global life expectancy of roughly 73 years, exposing a huge gap in healthcare outcomes, living conditions and overall human development between the country and much of the rest of the world.

The United Nations defines life expectancy at birth as the average number of years a newborn is expected to live if prevailing age-specific mortality rates remain unchanged throughout the person’s lifetime.

Nigeria’s persistently poor ranking reflects a complex mix of health and socioeconomic challenges.

High maternal and infant mortality, infectious diseases, rising non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, widespread poverty, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and unequal access to quality medical services continue to undermine efforts to improve longevity.

The situation has also been aggravated by the steady migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals in search of better working conditions and opportunities abroad.

Thousands of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other healthcare workers have reportedly left Nigeria in recent years, placing additional pressure on an already overstretched health system.

The United Kingdom remains one of the major destinations for Nigerian-trained medical professionals.

For a country with one of the world’s largest populations and a sizeable economy, the figures raise fresh questions about why economic growth has yet to translate into significantly better health outcomes for its citizens.

The latest figures also highlight an important distinction between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.

The World Health Organisation defines healthy life expectancy, or HALE, as the number of years a person can expect to live in full health, taking into account years lived with disease or disability.

WHO data have previously put Nigeria’s healthy life expectancy at about 54.9 years. The figure, however, should not be confused with the UN estimate of overall life expectancy at birth.

While successive Nigerian administrations have pledged to expand universal health coverage, strengthen primary healthcare, improve medical infrastructure and increase investment in the health sector, significant challenges remain.

Nigeria’s position at the bottom end of the global life-expectancy table underscores a broader development challenge.

A large population, economic potential and abundant human resources have not yet translated into longer, healthier lives for millions of Nigerians.

The figures are likely to reignite debate over healthcare financing, poverty reduction, nutrition, sanitation, insecurity, access to quality medical care and the continued exodus of skilled healthcare professionals.

For Nigeria, improving life expectancy will require more than treating illnesses. It will demand sustained investment in preventive healthcare, primary health services, maternal and child health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, while creating conditions capable of retaining the professionals needed to keep the health system functioning.