RismadarVoice Reporters
March 15, 2026
Kidney care specialists have raised concerns that the indiscriminate use of painkillers is silently contributing to the growing number of kidney failure cases in Nigeria.
The nephrologists, who spoke exclusively with newsmen, explained that many commonly used analgesics, particularly when taken frequently or in excessive doses without medical supervision, can gradually damage the kidneys and impair their ability to function effectively.
According to the American Kidney Fund, kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease, is the final stage of chronic kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys can no longer properly filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.
While the condition is life-threatening if left untreated, patients can survive for years with dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Data from the Nigerian Association of Nephrology indicates that more than 20 million Nigerians are living with kidney diseases, with about 20,000 progressing to end-stage kidney disease annually, requiring dialysis or transplant.
Traditionally, hypertension, diabetes and glomerulonephritis have been identified as leading causes of kidney failure. However, experts say the misuse of pain-relieving drugs is now adding to the disease burden.
Speaking on the trend, the President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi, said the abuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was quietly fuelling kidney damage, especially among manual labourers and commercial drivers who rely on unprescribed medications to cope with physical stress.
He warned that combining several painkillers at once, a practice common among some users, increases the risk of developing analgesic nephropathy, a form of kidney disease caused by prolonged drug use.
Awobusuyi noted that about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s adult population is estimated to have kidney disease, with many cases going undetected until they progress to kidney failure.
To address the situation, he urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication and instead seek professional medical care when experiencing persistent pain or discomfort.
Corroborating this, Dr. Harriet Yepwi, a Senior Registrar at the Nephrology Unit of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, said NSAIDs are “not friendly to the kidneys,” particularly when taken in large quantities over time.
She advised the public to consult qualified health professionals rather than relying on over-the-counter drugs without proper diagnosis.
Health experts stressed that tackling the rising burden of kidney failure requires greater public awareness, early medical intervention and responsible use of medications.
