Non-ulcer dyspepsia is common in Africa, yet there are few data on its possible cause. In this study 40 patients with strictly defined non-ulcer dyspepsia were matched with 40 asymptomatic volunteers. Both groups were questioned concerning their intake of alcohol, cola nut, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and smoking. They then underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with mucosal biopsy of the gastric mucosa: these biopsies were examined for gastritis and Helicobacter pylori. Ingestion of cola nut was the only statistically significant difference between the two groups. A high prevalence of gastritis and H. pylori infection was found in both groups, suggesting that these factors are not important in the aetiology of non-ulcer dyspepsia in northern Nigeria.