Abstract
Hypertension and hazardous alcohol consumption are leading public health burdens in Nigeria, with commercial bus drivers recognised as a particularly vulnerable occupational group. The dose-dependent relationship between alcohol intake and elevated blood pressure is well-established, yet evidence specific to Nigerian commercial drivers remains fragmented. To synthesise evidence on the prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among commercial bus drivers in Nigeria, examine the physiological and epidemiological links between alcohol intake and hypertension, and identify the socio-occupational determinants driving both conditions in this population. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online. Peer-reviewed articles, WHO and CDC reports, and government documents published between 2015 and 2025 were included. Search terms combined "alcohol consumption", "hypertension", "commercial drivers", and "Nigeria". Alcohol consumption prevalence among Nigerian commercial bus drivers ranges from 50.9% to 85.4% across studies, substantially exceeding the national adult average of 34.3%. Hypertension prevalence in this group ranges from 25.3% to 49.5%. Alcohol confers a threefold increase in hypertension risk through activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system stimulation, and endothelial dysfunction. Key drivers of alcohol use include long working hours, motor park social norms, alcohol availability, and stress-coping behaviour. Commercial bus drivers in Nigeria bear a disproportionate dual burden of alcohol misuse and hypertension. Targeted occupational health interventions combining health education, routine blood pressure screening, and motor park-level policy reform are urgently needed.