The Reason Nigerians and other West Africans are not allowed to donate blood is because of Malaria as well as other diseases. West African blood has antibodies that helps protect them from getting as sick as a non-West African would if they were to contract malaria and other diseases. If this blood is given to someone who does not have the same antibody, they could die.

Althogh there may be malaria in other countries, it is more prominant in West African nations.