The Acting Zonal Coordinator of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Dr. Peter Maiyaki, has called for stronger collaboration with Kaduna State University (KASU) to close Nigeria’s widening blood supply gap. Speaking during a courtesy visit on 23rd September, he revealed that while the Agency’s 10-year target is to secure at least two million safe units of blood nationwide, current figures remain below 100,000 units. He noted that only 37% of transfused blood comes from regulated channels, raising safety concerns.
Dr. Maiyaki outlined three areas of collaboration with KASU: raising awareness among students—especially during orientation programs, establishing blood donor clinics across campuses with quarterly visits and jointly celebrating National Blood Donor Day on December 8. He also proposed the formation of a student blood donation club and announced the Agency’s intention to honor the Vice Chancellor as a special ambassador for blood donation.
In his response, KASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi I. Musa, emphasized that the true hallmark of any educational institution lies in its sensitivity to the needs of the community. He expressed concern that despite the university’s resources and the government’s investment in education, Nigeria continues to grapple with preventable deaths from lack of safe blood. He urged that institutions must set ambitious but realistic targets to ensure interventions have measurable impact.
Prof. Musa also shared his personal commitment to blood donation, describing it as both a civic duty and a cultural responsibility. He explained that awareness must go beyond talk, translating into actionable programs that save lives. The Vice Chancellor pledged the University’s support for NBSA’s initiatives and encouraged extending the campaign beyond campus to vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, KASU Registrar, Barr. Samira Balarabe Esq., commended the Agency for its visit and pledged the administration’s full support in ensuring that the proposed collaborations are effectively implemented. She highlighted the registrar’s office as a key coordinating link for awareness programs and emphasized the importance of student engagement in sustaining blood donation drives.
Returning to the floor, Dr. Peter Maiyaki reiterated that if even 10% of the population became regular donors, maternal mortality would significantly decline. He described the scale of Nigeria’s maternal deaths as equivalent to “20 Boeing 707 crashes annually,” stressing that the situation demands urgent attention. He commended KASU leadership for aligning with the Agency’s vision and expressed optimism that with small but deliberate steps, the campaign would expand nationwide.
In closing, Dr. Ijei Enesi, Head of Hematology at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), underscored the importance of institutional networks in sustaining safe blood supply. She explained that facilities must support each other by sharing equipment, testing services, and treatment resources. According to her, with KASU’s involvement, the network of like-minded institutions can grow stronger, leading to exponential progress in safe blood supply and healthcare delivery.