Nigeria's Blood Supply Crisis Deepens Amid Voluntary Donation Shortage
Nigeria's National Blood Service Agency collected only 24,000 to 25,000 units of blood in 2025, far below the estimated 1.8 million to two million units needed annually.
In Brief
- •Nigeria's National Blood Service Agency collected only 24,000 to 25,000 units of blood in 2025, far below the estimated 1.8 million to two million units needed annually.
- •The agency estimates that at least two per cent of Nigeria's population would need to donate blood to meet the country's transfusion needs.
- •Voluntary blood donations increased from 12,568 in 2024 to 16,344 in 2025, but this remains insufficient to bridge the supply gap.
- •The shortage has serious implications for maternal healthcare, emergency surgeries, and patients with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease and cancer.
- •The National Blood Service Agency is introducing a digital platform, the National Blood Management System, to improve the safety, quality, and traceability of blood collection and distribution.
Why It Matters
Nigeria's blood supply crisis has significant implications for public health and healthcare delivery. The shortage of safe blood affects a wide range of medical treatments, from emergency surgeries to managing chronic diseases. Timely access to safe blood is particularly crucial in managing postpartum haemorrhage, which accounts for a significant portion of maternal deaths in the country. Addressing this crisis is essential for improving healthcare outcomes and reducing the burden on patients and their families who often have to source donors during medical emergencies.
Key Details
- Blood Collected in 2025
- 24,000 to 25,000 units
- Estimated Annual Blood Requirement
- 1.8 million to two million units
- Voluntary Donations in 2024
- 12,568 units
- Voluntary Donations in 2025
- 16,344 units
- Recommended Blood Collection Rate
- 10 units per 1,000 people annually
- Maternal Deaths Due to Postpartum Haemorrhage
- 23 to 30 per cent
Context & Background
Nigeria's blood supply crisis is part of a broader challenge in accessing safe blood in the country. The World Health Organisation has reported that Nigeria falls significantly short of its annual blood requirements, highlighting the need for increased voluntary donations and improved blood collection and distribution systems.
Original Reporting & Sources
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