The global average life expectancy has climbed to 73.33 years in 2024, showing a modest 0.23% increase, according to data from Macrotrend. Nigeria’s life expectancy has also seen a slight rise to 56.05 years, up 0.55% from the previous year, though it remains below the global average, highlighting the country’s ongoing public health struggles.
Experts suggest that Nigeria’s life expectancy could reach 76.93 years by 2050, a goal that will require substantial improvements in healthcare accessibility, disease prevention, and living conditions. This ambition was a focal point at the 2024 Gatefield Health Summit, themed “Beyond 65: Preventing the Quiet Epidemic,” where stakeholders called for policies aimed at tackling non-communicable diseases and raising life expectancy above 65 years in Nigeria and Africa.
Non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders, were identified by the World Health Organization as significant health threats globally.
Dr. Raymond Kuti, Chief Medical Director at Prisms Health Care Limited, expressed concerns over Nigeria’s reported life expectancy figures, suggesting that it might be underrepresented due to flawed criteria. “The data doesn’t reflect the true health status of Nigerians,” he stated, emphasizing the need for accurate data.
Addressing Nigeria’s life expectancy challenges involves tackling maternal and child health issues, communicable diseases, and healthcare infrastructure gaps. Increased healthcare access, investment in medical technology, nutrition improvements, and public health education remain critical to improving health outcomes nationwide.
