Nigeria is one of the countries with the largest burden of sickle cell disease. It is a chronic genetic disorder that accounts for absenteeism at school and at work place. There is also a significant shortening of the life span of the affected patients. Sickle cell anaemia presents with recurrent bone pains and progressive organ damage that affects negatively the quality of life of the patients. Available measures that have been in use include use of hydroxyurea, chronic and acute red cell transfusion and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These have limitations in terms of adverse effects, cost and availability.