As part of activities to commemorate World Hypertension Day 2025, Nigeria’s foremost pharmaceutical company, May & Baker Nigeria Plc has urged Nigerians to regularly check their blood pressure and manage it appropriately, describing hypertension as a “silent killer.”
The pharma company made this call during its annual “Walk for Life” event, held on Friday, 16 May. The awareness walk, which has become a yearly tradition, was organised to commemorate the World Hypertension Day, officially observed this year on Saturday 17 May
The walk began from the company’s Ikeja office on Sapara Williams Street and proceeded through Oba Akran Road, Ladipo Oluwole Street, and Adeniyi Jones Avenue, before making a stop at Allen Roundabout, where health professionals screened numerous participants and passersby for hypertension and offered free medical advice.
The awareness campaign continued through Awolowo Way to Ikeja under Bridge, where another round of screening was conducted. Participants however expressed gratitude to the company and called for the initiative to continue.
Representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Health and officials from Ikeja Local Government were also present to support the event.
Speaking during the walk, the Managing Director/CEO of May & Baker Nigeria PLC, Pharm. Patrick Ajah, emphasised the importance of regular health checks, particularly for hypertension, which often goes unnoticed until it causes serious harm.
He said, “We prioritise the Walk for Life programme. We want a healthy country, and we’ll continue to contribute until that happens. We brought it forward because World Hypertension Day falls on a Saturday. With support from Road Safety, the Nigeria Police, and other agencies, we’ve committed this walk to God and we believe He will lead us.”
Ajah added that the goal of the event was not just fitness but public enlightenment. He said “Many people slump and die because they’re unaware of their blood pressure status. This is what May & Baker wants to change.”
In an interview with journalists, Ajah highlighted how worsening living conditions and poor health-seeking behaviour among Nigerians are fueling cases of hypertension and heart-related illnesses, stressing that many Nigerians only go to the hospital when they’re seriously sick, adding that many people often discover too late that their blood pressure is dangerously high.
Ajah revealed that although cases of hypertension are rising, medication access remains limited due to cost. He said “these are lifelong medications, and many people stop taking them once they feel better. The truth is, affordability is a huge barrier, especially with the devaluation of the naira and rising drug production costs. May & Baker is helping bridge this gap by producing affordable generic versions of antihypertensive drugs locally”, even as he expressed worries that foreign exchange challenges have continued to drive up production costs.
Pharm. Ajah warned that the combination of hypertension and diabetes, what he calls a “dangerous alliance”, is behind many sudden deaths in Nigeria.
He said “Someone with both conditions needs frequent medical care. For those above 40, regular health checks are non-negotiable. Early detection can mean the difference between life and death.”
He discouraged the idea of “drug holidays” for hypertension patients, describing it as outdated and risky. “Patients often forget to resume their medication, which can worsen their condition. Health professionals no longer advise drug holidays”, Pharm. Ajah said.
On the effectiveness of health campaigns like “Walk for Life,” Pharm. Ajah said “Even though we’re doing this in Ikeja, the awareness spreads. Every year we do this, more people go for checkups. “We will keep doing this every year. It’s about saving lives and contributing to a healthier Nigeria.”
Special guests at the event include the Director of Medical Services, Health, and Safety at Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA),, Dr Modupe Okoh; Officials from Ikeja LGA Dr Folashade Tawak; Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and Director Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) Health District VI, Mrs Olusola Adenariwo; Deputy Director Community Health Service for Ikeja LGA, Mrs Adeseun; Director, Health Education Unit, Health District VI, Mrs Olakunmi Agboibon; Principal Environmental/ Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Lagos State Government and other representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the May & Baler boss has applauded recent Federal Government policies, including the waiver of customs duties on pharmaceutical raw materials, which are beginning to yield positive results. It is a fantastic initiative, and we urge the government to sustain it”, Pharm Ajah said.
