Trend review of Nigeria’s life expectancy shows that there has been continuous increase in life expectancy since 2000. This increase is against prevailing threats to life as a result of widespread insecurities and health emergencies.
As estimated in 2020, life expectancy for Nigerians is 55 years. This figure is higher for females than males. It is expected that a Nigerian female will live up to her 56th birthday, while their male counterparts will live for just 54 years.
Different bodies have submitted varying life expectancy averages for Nigerians, however, across all of these varying averages, there is one recurrence theme. They all say life expectancy is improving.
The life expectancy average from the World Bank reveals that as of 2020, the average lifespan for a Nigerian is 55 years, 56 years for females and 54 years for males.
Although this figure places the average life expectancy for Nigeria below the West and Central African region average of 58 years, it was an improvement from the 53 years expectancy rate for 2019.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the life expectancy for Nigeria was 63 years as at 2019. This is an improvement over the 61 years an average Nigerian was expected to live in 2015. WHO estimated the life expectancy for females at 64 years, while men are expected to live up to 61 years.
The determinants of life expectancy value include, among others, access to health care, hygiene, diet and nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and crime rates.
Over the last two decades, Nigeria has experienced extreme cases of these determining factors.
Nigerians experience difficulties in accessing basic healthcare services. At least 50.8% of the population find it difficult to access healthcare services due to lack of funds, distance from the health facilities, and not being permitted to go to the health facilities. Most of them are found in rural areas, with 59.8% living in rural areas and 42.1% in urban areas.
Another factor that determines life expectancy is hygiene. Availability of good improved water and sanitation systems is one factor that enhances good hygiene. Only 65.3% of Nigerians have access to improved water sources. However, 92.1% do not treat their water before consumption, exposing them to diseases.
Also, only 53.4% of the population use improved sanitary facilities and 22.9% of Nigerians still practice open defecation.
Food insecurity levels have worsened and rising poverty levels threaten as at least three Nigerians are thrown below the poverty line every second. This, coupled with the high unemployment rates and rising inflations are the reality for Nigerians today.
Nigerians’ lives are constantly at risk with the growing threat of insecurity in the country. Between 2015 and 2020, at least 25,325 Nigerians were killed due to various issues of insecurity. Kidnapping, banditry, farmer/herders clashes are add ons to the existing Boko Haram insurgency, creating uncertainty about the safety of lives in the country.
Amidst all these life-threatening situations prevailing in the country, Nigerians’ life expectancy has continuously increased over the last two decades.
Dr Jeffrey Ajoko of International SOS said this increase in the improvement of life expectancy despite all these setbacks is attributed to better health awareness. “That’s the most important factor that has led to greater life expectancy in Nigeria.”
The Medical Practitioner noted that the health care system is still subpar compared to other parts of the world. Yet, over the years, health awareness in Nigeria has improved significantly from what it was before.
“Although, unlike our delivery system, which is subpar, health awareness has improved”.