Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDU) in Hadejia Valley, Nigeria:  Assessment of Heavy Metals in Cereal Crops from Different Locations along the Valley

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a disease that is not attributable to any traditional risk factors and is one of the major life threatening, rampant in Nigeria notable in Hadejia Valley, covering Kano, Jigawa and Yobe States of Nigeria. Exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins occur in water, foods and to air over a period.. This research is been carried out to determine the effects of environmental toxins and gene polymorphism on CKDu in Hadejia Valley. The objectives of the study is to determine the Physico-chemical parameters, presence, and concentration of Fluorine (F), Cadmium, (Cd) Lead (Pb) Arsenic (As), from randomly selected cereals in the study area, in Yobe State, (Gashua and Nguru) Jigawa State, (Birniwa, Kirikasamma, Hadejia, Auyo, Gujungu, Taura, and Ringim), and Kano State (Zakirai). The sites lie midway along the Hadejia Valley. In each of the 10 sites concentrations of nephrotoxic heavy metals in  cereals including rice, wheat, maize, guinea corn were randomly sampled and Collected food samples were digested and analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer  (AAS model Agilent-AA55. Findings from the research suggest significant contamination of food sources in Hadejia Valley, particularly with lead and cadmium, both of which are nephrotoxic heavy metals linked to chronic kidney disease. Hadejia has the highest levels of fluorine and lead, making it a hotspot for contamination. Gashua shows the highest cadmium contamination, which is concerning due to cadmium’s strong link to kidney disease. Auyo has the highest arsenic levels, posing long-term health risks. Cadmium and lead pose the highest health risks, exceeding WHO limits in multiple locations. The lack of significant variation between food types suggests a widespread pollution issue rather than localized contamination. Immediate intervention is needed to ensure safer food and mitigate CKDu risks. Other measures including urgent monitoring of food quality are required to prevent or at least reduce CKDu outbreaks.