The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation, has called on Nigerian youths to go for genotype testing before marriage as a critical step in preventing the spread of sickle cell disease.
They also explained the medical basis of the disease, saying that sickle cell is a genetic disorder that alters the shape of red blood cells, making it difficult for them to pass through blood vessels smoothly.
The Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this in Abuja, during a sensitization outreach and awareness walk, tagged “Walk for Life,” which began at Jabi Lake and extended through the Jabi-Airport Road axis.
Issa-Onilu represented by Dr. Olufemi Ayoola, Director of Health and Social Care at NOA, emphasized that genotype testing is not just a medical necessity but a moral obligation to future generations.
He Said: “We are not just walking the streets of our cities, we are walking into the hearts of Nigerians, carrying a message of hope, health, and national responsibility.
“Sickle Cell Disease remains a public health concern in Nigeria, not only because we have the highest burden globally, but because the pain, loss, and preventable suffering it brings continue to affect families across every region, ethnic group, and social class.
“It is estimated that over 150,000 children are born with sickle cell disease every year in Nigeria, many of whom will not live to see their fifth birthday. This is not just a statistic. It is a national emergency that demands action, awareness, and collective responsibility.
“The tragedy is that sickle cell disease is preventable. We have the knowledge. We have the tests. What we need is the right orientation. This is why we are here, to raise awareness on the importance of genotype testing before marriage.
“A simple blood test, done early, can prevent generations of pain. We must begin to see genotype compatibility not as a romantic inconvenience, but as a moral and medical duty.”
He described sickle cell as a preventable tragedy, adding that, “This is why awareness is critical. Many young people are getting married without knowing their genotype, and this lack of knowledge can result in bringing children into a life of suffering.”
In her remarks, the founder of Maidunama Sickle Cell Foundation, Ms. Rebi Maidunama, stressed the urgency of tackling the sickle cell crisis.
She said: “One out of every born Nigeria is either AS which is a sickle cell carrier or has sickle cell. So 25% of the population is already affected. So it has become a national issue. It’s like a time bomb waiting to explode. So we can’t keep ignoring them.”
According to her, sickle cell awareness has been long neglected, and it’s time for sustained national intervention.
She added, “I decided to partner with the National Orientation Agency because of their longstanding campaign, ‘Do the Right Thing.’ Knowing your genotype before marriage is the right thing to do for yourself, your partner and for your future children.”