By Peter.
On World Diabetes Day 2025, Nigerian endocrinologists, advocates, and people living with diabetes delivered a stark warning: thousands of Nigerians are losing jobs, hiding their condition, or suffering in silence because diabetes is not legally recognised as a disability in the workplace.
At a webinar themed “Diabetes and Wellbeing: Diabetes and the Workplace” organised by the Nigerian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (NSEM), experts highlighted that:
- Nigeria has no anti-discrimination law protecting workers with diabetes (unlike the UK’s Equality Act 2010 or Northern Ireland’s Disability Discrimination Act 1995).
- The National Health Insurance Act covers only fragments of diabetes care.
- Many employers fire diabetic staff after a single hypoglycaemic episode or refuse promotion.
Real-Life Consequences
- A female factory worker in Lagos lost her job after collapsing from low blood sugar; her employer replaced her despite full recovery.
- A senior executive with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria refused to disclose her well-controlled diabetes on national radio out of fear of workplace backlash.
- Businesswoman Osarenkhoe Ethel Chima-Nwogwugwu (Type 1, 5 years): “Colleagues see me inject insulin and react with fear or pity — it’s humiliating.”
Expert Voices
Prof. Chioma Unachukwu (UPTH Port Harcourt):
“Poorly controlled diabetes causes fatigue, absenteeism, and safety risks — but firing someone because of it is illegal in many countries. In Nigeria, there is ZERO legal protection.”
Prof. Ejiofor Ugwu (National President, Diabetes Association of Nigeria):
“We need lawmakers to sponsor a bill classifying diabetes as a disability and banning workplace discrimination — anything less is unacceptable.”
Dr Zakiyya Sodiq (Neuropsychiatrist, AKTH Kano):
“Stigma drives anxiety and depression. Many hide their condition, skip medication, and spiral into complications — all because they fear losing their job.”
What Needs to Change — Immediate Demands
- Legislate protection: Enact laws banning diabetes-related discrimination in hiring, promotion, and termination.
- Classify diabetes as a disability under Nigerian law.
- Mandate reasonable accommodations:
- Flexible breaks for testing/injections
- Private space & fridge for insulin
- Emergency glucagon training for colleagues
- Adjusted shifts for clinic visits
- Compulsory workplace education on diabetes and hypoglycemia response.
- Expand NHIA coverage to include insulin, test strips, CGMs, and pumps.
A Global Contrast
In the UK, USA, and EU, employers who fire someone for controlled diabetes face lawsuits and heavy fines. In Nigeria, the worker has no legal recourse.
With Nigeria carrying the highest diabetes burden in sub-Saharan Africa (estimated 11–15 million cases by 2030), experts warn that without urgent legislative action, workplace stigma will continue driving preventable complications, job losses, and deaths.
The message from doctors and advocates is clear: Diabetes should never cost anyone their livelihood.
#DiabetesAtWork #EndDiabetesStigma #ProtectDiabeticWorkers #WorldDiabetesDay2025 #NigeriaHealth
