A History of Anti-leprosy Campaign in Sokoto Area of Northern Nigeria, 1919–1975

Abstract

Leprosy disease is said to have been introduced into Nigerian area hundreds of years ago, and it became prevalent in the country. Modern control and prevention methods of leprosy disease began in the eastern part of Nigeria during colonial period. Perhaps, the reason was that, the region was believed to be the most endemic area of leprosy. The campaign was later extended to northern Nigeria in which the central Colonial Government, the Sudan Interior Mission and the Native Authorities made a joint effort to control and prevent the disease in the defunct Sokoto Province. The aim of this chapter is to examine the activities of the three bodies in anti-leprosy campaign in Sokoto Area. By so doing, the chapter intends to show the extent to which missionary anti-leprosy services were provided and appreciated in a predominantly Muslim area with a view to contributing to historical knowledge production. Finally, the chapter concludes that despite all the efforts of the authorities concerned, the area is still one of the most leprosy endemic areas of Nigeria.