Nigerian nonprofit achieves the highest number of free sickle cell genotype screenings ever recorded by a single organisation in the country, reaching communities in Lagos, Oyo State, and Abuja.
NIGERIA — The Rabiu Olowo Foundation (TROF), a Nigerian nonprofit organisation dedicated to the fight against sickle cell disease, has achieved a landmark milestone in the nation’s public health history.
Within a six-month period, TROF successfully conducted over 2,000 free sickle cell genotype screenings across three states Lagos, Oyo, and Abuja making it the single organisation to have administered the highest number of free sickle cell screenings ever recorded in Nigeria.
This unprecedented feat positions The Rabiu Olowo Foundation at the forefront of sickle cell awareness and prevention in Africa’s most populous nation, where sickle cell disease remains one of the most prevalent and under-addressed genetic disorders. Nigeria accounts for approximately 40% of the global sickle cell disease burden, yet access to free, reliable genotype testing remains limited for millions of families particularly in underserved communities.
Reaching the Unreached: A Six-Month Journey Across Three States
Over the course of six months, TROF deployed healthcare professionals and outreach teams to communities across Lagos, Oyo State including Ibadan and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The screenings were provided entirely free of charge, ensuring that no financial barrier stood between individuals and potentially life-saving information about their genotype status.
Among the communities served were Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Abuja, where residents among Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations received genotype testing, health counselling, and sickle cell awareness education, many of them for the very first time.
Why This Record Matters
Sickle cell disease is a largely preventable condition when both parents know their genotype, they are empowered to make informed decisions that can prevent the birth of a child with the disease. Yet awareness remains alarmingly low across Nigeria, and the cost of private screening places the test out of reach for many. TROF’s free screening initiative directly confronts this gap, turning knowledge into protection.
By reaching over 2,000 Nigerians in just six months across geographically and socioeconomically diverse communities The Rabiu Olowo Foundation has demonstrated that large-scale, impactful sickle cell intervention is not only possible, but achievable without placing a financial burden on the communities that need it most.
A Call to Action: Partners and Sponsors Needed
While this milestone is historic, The Rabiu Olowo Foundation recognizes that the work is far from complete. Millions of Nigerians still lack access to genotype testing and sickle cell education. To sustain and significantly expand this lifesaving work, TROF is actively seeking partnerships with corporate organisations, government agencies, healthcare institutions, and philanthropic bodies who share the vision of a Nigeria where no life is lost to a preventable genetic condition.
“Together, no one will be left behind,” remains the Foundation’s guiding commitment and it is a commitment that can only be fulfilled through collective action.
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About The Rabiu Olowo Foundation (TROF)
The Rabiu Olowo Foundation is a Nigerian nonprofit organisation committed to eradicating the impact of sickle cell disease through free genotype screening, community health outreach, and public awareness campaigns. Operating across multiple states in Nigeria, TROF works tirelessly to ensure that every Nigerian regardless of income, location, or background has access to the information and services needed to protect themselves and their families from sickle cell disease.
Media Contact
The Rabiu Olowo Foundation
Email: info@therabiuolowofoundation.org
Phone: 09064328833
Social Media: @Therofdn
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