People living with vitiligo in Nigeria are calling for greater awareness and an end to the stigma surrounding the skin condition, as experts continue to stress that it is neither contagious nor caused by spiritual forces.
For Abuja-based artist and poet Ibrahim Ajani Lawal, the journey began in 2005 when a small white patch appeared on his chin while he was still in primary school. His family initially believed it was a temporary skin problem caused by stress or environmental changes and sought both traditional and medical treatments before doctors confirmed it was vitiligo.
“My parents and grandfather did everything they could to help me. Thankfully, the condition has stopped spreading,” Lawal said.
Similarly, Blessing Oduola, a graphic designer in Ogun State, was diagnosed with vitiligo in December 2024 after first noticing unusual patches on her scalp and face. She initially blamed her hairstylist and makeup artist, believing the marks were caused by skin irritation or eczema before medical tests confirmed the diagnosis.
The experiences of both Lawal and Oduola reflect the challenges many Nigerians with vitiligo face, including discrimination, emotional distress and widespread misconceptions that the condition is a spiritual attack or contagious disease.
Vitiligo is a medical condition in which the immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, causing white patches to develop on different parts of the body. Although there is no official national figure, studies estimate that between 2.8 and 6.6 per cent of Nigerians may be living with the condition.
Dermatologist Dr. Ehiaghe Anaba of Lagos State University explained that vitiligo is treatable and, in some cases, treatment can prevent it from spreading. She stressed that the condition has no spiritual origin and cannot be transmitted through physical contact.
According to her, anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention from a qualified dermatologist instead of relying on myths or unverified remedies.
Despite growing awareness, many people with vitiligo continue to experience discrimination. Lawal recalled being bullied as a child and said some people still avoid sitting close to him or sharing utensils because they wrongly believe the condition is infectious.
Oduola also revealed that her diagnosis affected her personal life, including the end of a relationship.
“He did not directly communicate that he had a problem with my vitiligo. He had even met my parents. At the time, I was finding it so difficult to accept the condition myself. My parents were not encouraging either. They asked me to cover it up because people would talk and ask questions. They believed it was a spiritual problem.
“I lost myself. I started covering my skin and stopped dressing the way I wanted. My partner told me I was no longer attractive and constantly complained about my appearance. At one point, he said he was no longer feeling the vibe between us.
“Instead of being honest about how he felt, he gradually became distant and went silent. I kept asking what was wrong, but he never gave me an explanation. Eventually, I realised I deserved better. We never officially broke up; we simply stopped talking.”
She added that strangers often make insensitive remarks or recommend spiritual solutions instead of understanding that vitiligo is simply a medical condition.
“Remarks like that are so common. Once I embraced my appearance, I took it upon myself to use my experience to educate others. Vitiligo is not a curse or a punishment from God. It is simply a medical condition that can affect anyone,” she said.
Both Lawal and Oduola have since become advocates for greater awareness. Through poetry, artwork and public education, they are encouraging Nigerians to reject harmful stereotypes and support people living with vitiligo.
“In 2023, I presented a poem about vitiligo at an event held at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Kaduna State. The presentation was emotional because the poem captured the trauma, bullying and constant questions that people living with vitiligo face. Much of my work focuses on challenging stigma and helping people better understand what those with vitiligo experience every day,” Lawal said.
For Oduola, advocacy and support groups have been a source of comfort. She said knowing she is not alone has made living with vitiligo easier, while seeing others confidently share their stories and photographs has given her the courage to embrace her own journey.
“Although awareness has improved, much more still needs to be done. Some people still believe it’s a spiritual problem, not a medical condition. People should also stop stigmatising those living with vitiligo. Calling someone ‘Coke and Fanta’ because of vitiligo is stigmatisation,” she said.
Medical experts and advocates are urging the public to understand that vitiligo is not contagious, is not caused by spiritual forces and should never be a reason for discrimination.
