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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Nigerians particularly those with underlying health issues to exercise caution and obtain medical guidance when planning journeys that involve transit through Addis Ababa. According to the advisory signed by spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi the Ethiopian capital sits at 2355 metres above sea level where lower atmospheric pressure reduces oxygen availability. The ministry’s statement reported that Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa recorded 16 deaths this year involving citizens transiting through the city that were linked to altitude-related health complications. It noted that while healthy individuals can generally adapt to such conditions people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems face heightened risks.
Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport functions as a key transit hub for Ethiopian Airlines which operates extensive routes across Africa Europe and Asia. The foreign affairs assessment found that the elevation can also bring dry air increased ultraviolet exposure and greater fluid loss potentially worsening symptoms like headaches and fatigue. Figures from the ministry show these factors compound dangers for travellers with pre-existing ailments making informed preparation essential before departure.
The advisory explicitly stated that Nigerians whose medical conditions could be exacerbated by high altitudes should consult professionals prior to travel. In its release the ministry emphasised that the guidance was not designed to discourage journeys to or through Addis Ababa but to ensure vulnerable individuals take appropriate steps. A separate statement from the ministry highlighted its commitment to the health and safety of Nigerians abroad by providing timely information on potential risks.
Nigeria bears the highest global burden of sickle cell disease according to health experts at Yakubu Gowon University with around 150000 affected children born each year. A meta-analysis published in the journal Systematic Reviews placed the pooled prevalence of the disease at 4 percent and the trait at 21 percent across studied populations in the country. Medical reports have indicated that reduced oxygen at high altitudes such as those in Addis Ababa can trigger crises in people carrying the trait or disease which affects a significant portion of Nigeria’s population.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has separately recommended that individuals with coronary artery disease chronic pulmonary conditions or similar issues consult physicians experienced in high-altitude medicine before visiting elevated locations. Data from regional analyses show that comparable elevations in parts of Kenya produce similar physiological effects though Nigeria’s advisory specifically targets its citizens’ travel patterns. The ministry’s diplomatic mission continues to monitor such incidents as part of broader efforts to safeguard travellers.
Ethiopian officials had not issued a direct response to the Nigerian advisory as of November 14 according to multiple regional reports. Industry observers note that Bole Airport handles substantial passenger volumes from West Africa where sickle cell prevalence remains elevated. The foreign ministry’s statement concluded by urging all travellers to make informed decisions based on their personal health profiles when selecting transit routes.
