Introduction: Diverticula are bulging pouch-like herniations that can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal 
tract including the colon. Colonic diverticula are said to be rare in black Africans. We therefore undertook to 
determine the occurrence of colonic diverticula in Nigerians.
Aims and Objectives: To determine the occurrence of colonic diverticula in Nigerians using Colonoscopy.
Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out at the Endoscopy suite of Crescent 
hospital, Ilorin from January 2010 to April, 2013. The endoscopy register was reviewed, and the biodata, 
indications and colonoscopic findings were recorded on a proforma.
Results: A total of 174 patients had colonoscopy carried out on them. One hundred and seven (61.5%) were 
males while 67(38.5%) were females. The age ranged from 4 to 90 years with a mean of 52.8+/-17.6 years. The 
indications for colonoscopy were rectal bleeding 78(44.8%); suspected colon cancer 52(29.9%); chronic 
constipation, and chronic diarrhoea 11 each (6.3%); suspected ano-rectal cancer 6(3.4%); abdominal pain 
4(2.3%); anal pain, bloody stool, faecal incontinence and entero-cutaneous fistula 2 each (1.1%); anaemia, postcolostomy for Hirschprung disease, and colon cancer, and polyposis syndrome 1 each (0.6%). Endoscopic 
findings were Normal findings 43(24.7%); haemorrhoids 35(20.1%); diverticulosis 27(15.5%); rectal cancer 
23(13.2%); colitis, and colonic polyps 13 each(7.5%); angiodysplasia 12 (6.9%); colon cancer 10(5.7% ); anal 
cancer, and rectal polyps 6 each (3.4%); anal warts 4 (2.3%); proctitis 3(1.7%); caecal cancer 2(1.1%), rectal 
ulcer, and rectal prolapse 1 each (0.6%). Diagnostic yield was 75.3%. Colonic diverticulosis is positively 
correlated with age, and male gender (p<0.05), while rectal bleeding is the commonest presentation. 
Conclusions: Colonic diverticulosis is common in Nigerians, and is positively correlated with increasing age, 
and male gender. Rectal bleeding is the commonest presentation.