In Nigeria, conversations around health often revolve around malaria, maternal mortality, or infectious diseases. But a quieter, deadlier crisis is unfolding — the state of brain health.
Neurological disorders such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries are rising at an alarming rate, with experts warning that the country may be heading into an epidemic if urgent attention is not paid.
One of those raising the alarm is Dr. Timitope Farombi, a seasoned neurologist with over two decades of practice and the Managing Director of Brain Center, Neurocritical and Rehabilitation Services, Ibadan. In her words: “Brain is time. Treat your brain like your life depends on it — because it does.”
Her admonition is not just medical rhetoric but a call to action in a country where attitudes toward brain wellness remain deeply problematic.
Dr. Farombi and her team opened Brain Center in January 2025 — the first specialized facility in Southwest Nigeria focused on neurological care and rehabilitation. Since then, the center has admitted over 30 patients and consulted nearly 100 others, including referrals from as far as London.
But even with such a breakthrough, challenges remain. Like most private health institutions in Nigeria, the center receives no government support. Electricity, water, and equipment must be self-provided. Patients, many of whom cannot afford life-saving interventions that cost as little as ₦70,000, often delay treatment or resort to alternative therapies.
For 52-year-old Mr. Adewale (surname withheld), a vibrant school principal in Ibadan, life changed in a split second. One morning, after weeks of ignoring recurring headaches and dizziness, he collapsed in his sitting room.
His family, believing it was a spiritual attack, rushed him to a nearby prayer house. By the time they eventually sought medical help, doctors confirmed a massive stroke.
“He was a strong man, never believed in hospitals,” his wife recounts. “We thought prayers would help. But now he is paralyzed on one side, struggling to speak. If only we had gone earlier.”
Mr. Adewale’s story is a painful reminder of how misconceptions, delays, and misplaced priorities rob Nigerians of their health and dignity. Every minute lost in neurological emergencies can mean permanent damage or death — yet many still underestimate this reality.
These realities reflect a larger problem in Nigeria’s healthcare system: inadequate government investment, insufficient infrastructure, and a lack of specialized facilities for neurological and rehabilitative care.
Perhaps more worrying than infrastructural challenges is the attitudinal neglect of Nigerians toward brain health. As Dr. Farombi notes, stroke is the most common neurological crisis her center treats, fueled mainly by untreated hypertension. Countless Nigerians walk around with dangerously high blood pressure, dismissing the risks until tragedy strikes.
For many, routine blood pressure checks, healthy diets, adequate sleep, and stress management are seen as luxuries rather than necessities. Cultural misconceptions also compound the problem. Neurological issues are frequently confused with psychiatric or spiritual problems, leading families to seek help from prayer houses or traditional healers instead of hospitals.
This behavior wastes critical time. And when it comes to the brain, time lost is function lost. Every passing minute during a stroke or brain injury can mean irreversible damage.
Global statistics suggest that brain disorders will triple by 2030. Nigeria, with its fast-growing population, poor preventive health culture, and fragile healthcare system, is especially vulnerable.
Lifestyle changes, increased stress, poor diets, sedentary habits, and rising cases of hypertension and diabetes are already contributing to higher neurological risks. Younger adults are increasingly presenting with strokes, a condition once thought to be restricted to the elderly.
Dr. Farombi emphasizes: “While socio-economic realities may limit access to resources, individuals must prioritize their health. Checking blood pressure regularly, eating well, sleeping adequately, and resting are non-negotiables.”
Nigerians often rally quickly around campaigns on cancer, HIV/AIDS, or malaria, but brain health is yet to command the same urgency. This needs to change. The human brain is the control tower of the body. Its health determines productivity, creativity, and even survival.
Dr. Farombi’s mantra, “Brain is time, and time is brain,” should be etched into the nation’s consciousness. From policymakers to individuals, the responsibility to safeguard brain health must become a national priority.
Government must invest in equipping public hospitals with neurological units, diagnostic tools, and trained specialists.
Communities must shed myths that equate neurological conditions with madness or spiritual attack.
Individuals must embrace preventive healthcare: routine check-ups, healthy diets, stress management, and immediate medical consultation when symptoms arise.
The vision of Brain Center — to grow into a neurological hub, a research institute, and a training ground for future specialists — is both ambitious and necessary. But without a societal shift in how Nigerians perceive brain health, even the best-equipped facilities will continue to be overwhelmed by preventable cases.
The message is simple: the brain is not invincible. It is fragile, and every decision; from ignoring blood pressure to neglecting rest – chips away at it. Nigerians cannot afford to keep playing catch-up with neurological crises.
As Dr. Farombi rightly puts it, “Treat your brain like your life depends on it — because it does.”