A Lagos-based fitness expert, Sir Goodluck Obi, has warned that Nigeria’s rising burden of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity is directly tied to poor fitness culture and physical inactivity.

Speaking in Lagos, Sir Obi, chairman of Gategold Fitness Ltd, said most lifestyle diseases are preventable, yet many Nigerians only seek medical care after they fall sick. “We spend billions treating illnesses that could have been prevented with 30 minutes of daily exercise,” he stated. 

He noted that the cost of treating chronic conditions is now one of the fastest-growing expenses for families and the government, adding that countries that invest in preventive fitness have healthier populations and lower healthcare bills.

Sir Obi urged the Federal Government to treat fitness equipment as a health essential and reduce import duties to make it affordable. “If we make treadmills, bikes, and basic gym equipment are cheaper, so more Nigerians can exercise at home, in offices, and in communities,” he said.

For 20 years, Gategold Fitness has supplied, delivered, and installed genuine fitness equipment in homes, schools, and gyms nationwide, and was named Best Fitness Equipment Dealer in Nigeria for 2025. 

“A healthy nation costs less to run. Prevention must become our first policy,” Sir Obi concluded.