A clinical researcher and blood donation advocate, Sijibomi Oladeji, says Nigeria requires at least 1.8 million units of blood every year to meet its national demand, yet the country continues to fall dangerously short.
Oladeji raised the alarm on Saturday at the unveiling of his book, Red Gold, held at the National Blood Service Commission South West Zonal Office in Ibadan.
He warned that Nigeria’s persistent shortage is worsening, describing the gap as a silent emergency that leaves thousands of patients stranded during critical situations.
The event brought together medical experts, public health advocates, policymakers and donors to assess the fragility of the nation’s blood supply system. Hosted by The Red Gold Project Team in partnership with the NBSC, the programme featured a public reading, a panel session and an on-site donation opportunity.
In his keynote address, Oladeji said the book was inspired by years of witnessing avoidable deaths caused by a chronic lack of safe blood. He noted that many Nigerians remain unaware of just how essential blood is in emergency care.
“People don’t realise how precious blood is until they get to the hospital and find none,” he said. “Blood is our red gold, valuable, scarce, and life-saving. Nigeria’s real problem is not the absence of blood, but the absence of awareness.”
He said myths, fear and religious misconceptions continue to discourage voluntary donation, forcing patients to beg, campaign or pay heavily before blood can be secured. He described Nigeria’s donation culture as reactive, with families only beginning the search for donors when a crisis strikes.
“In other countries, blood waits for people. Here, people wait for blood and many die waiting. We must change this culture.”
Oladeji called for year-round awareness campaigns rather than limiting sensitisation to World Blood Donor Day on June 14.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Tinubu administration, the NBSC Director-General and the national task force on blood regulation, including the installation of an advanced testing machine at the Ibadan centre, one of only three nationwide. But he warned that these gains are being undermined by hospitals that refuse to comply with national standards and by the continued reliance on family replacement donors.
NBSC South West Zonal Director, Dr Oladapo Aworanti, backed Oladeji’s concerns. He said profiteering and sabotage within the system remain major obstacles.
He alleged that subsidised blood is frequently diverted to private hospitals where it is sold for as high as ₦50,000 per unit, defeating the government’s goal of lowering costs and improving access.
“No matter how sophisticated a blood bank is, without donors it becomes useless. Some personnel collaborate with private facilities to create artificial scarcity. This must stop.”
Aworanti stressed that religious institutions must play a central role in nationwide sensitisation, noting that churches and mosques influence public behaviour far more than schools or NGOs.
“Some places of worship still forbid blood donation. Their leaders influence millions. If they support it, mindsets will shift immediately.”
Stakeholders at the launch also highlighted the growing gap in blood donation, blaming it on misinformation, religious myths, low voluntary participation and systemic exploitation that continue to endanger lives during emergencies.
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