By Augusta Daniel
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, with a renewed focus on expanding healthcare services and community engagement.
This was stressed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, on Monday in Abuja, during the World Tuberculosis Day 2025 commemoration in Abuja.
The event also saw Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, pledge an additional N1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to strengthen TB control efforts nationwide.
Speaking at the event, Dr Salako acknowledged the challenges Nigeria faces in tackling TB but praised frontline health workers for their dedication.
“Your Excellency, I give in to this program. I know that additional support is coming in, also a very big figure. I pray that Almighty God will continue to be with you and enrich you more and more,” he said, appreciating the First Lady’s intervention.
He further acknowledged the critical role of health workers in TB detection and treatment:
“Nigeria is faced with significant challenges concerning TB. But despite those challenges, I must appreciate the frontline health workers for the good work they are doing. And I would like to humbly request a resounding applause for all the health workers in Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria is not left behind in the global TB eradication agenda by 2030.
“The President has directed and has provided a new field environment for the primary healthcare revitalization, with over 10,000 primary healthcare centres currently being upgraded.
“In addition, we are training over 120,000 health workers at advanced levels to strengthen TB control efforts,” he said.
He also stressed the government’s efforts in expanding TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment services in both public and private healthcare facilities, in alignment with Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“We are strengthening community engagement, providing enhanced social protection packages for TB patients and their families. In conclusion, Your Excellency, I would like to extend my sincere solidarity and empathy to all individuals and families affected by TB,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to provide the necessary treatment and support for TB patients, ensuring no one is left behind.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, once again, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of Nigeria to work in close collaboration with all of you to make Nigeria free of TB. Yes, we can end TB together,” he said.
In his remarks, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, raised concerns over the risk of losing two decades of progress against TB due to global funding cuts.
“Today we face the existential threat of losing the huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years due to funding cuts, which have started to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB,” he said.
Despite this challenge, Mulombo commended Nigeria’s progress, citing a 300 per cent increase in TB case notifications over the past five years:
“In a space of five years, Nigeria has scaled up many innovations and interventions that have resulted in the huge numbers of TB cases notified from 138,583 in 2020 during the pandemic year to 418,198 in 2024,” he said.
He warned that any disruptions to TB services could have fatal consequences for thousands of Nigerians affected by the disease. He emphasized that strong collaboration with civil society and affected communities remains critical in mitigating service disruptions and ensuring equitable access to care.
He reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in accelerating its TB response through: “Technical guidance aligned with the latest WHO TB guidelines stronger collaboration with donors, private sector, and civil society to mitigate funding challenges.
“Mobilizing domestic and international resources for TB eradication. Enhancing TB awareness and vaccination efforts, including BCG for newborns and malaria vaccination for children aged 5-15 months,” he said.
He urged community leaders to take charge of health promotion in their communities, ensuring access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services.
“TB is curable and treatable; I implore anyone coughing for two weeks or more to go for a TB test at the nearest health facility,” he said.
In a bold move to bolster the fight against TB, Tinubu announced an additional N1 billion donations from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She said that the funds would be directed towards expanding TB awareness campaigns to encourage early detection and reduce stigma, enhancing TB screening and diagnostic services in underserved communities and supporting TB patients and their families with social protection measures.
She noted that TB remains a leading infectious disease in Nigeria, causing over 200,000 new cases annually, and urged stronger multi-sectoral collaboration to accelerate efforts toward elimination.
It would be recalled that this year’s World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” was echoed throughout the event, reinforcing a message of hope, urgency, and accountability across all sectors. Nigeria’s localized slogan, “We fit do am,” further emphasized collective action in tackling TB.
Meanwhile, Mulombo called on all stakeholders—donors, the private sector, civil society, academia, and the media—to unite in the fight against TB.
“I have faith that ‘Yes! We can end TB.’ We fit do am,” he said.
With the Federal Government’s renewed commitment, WHO’s technical and financial support, and the First Lady’s N1 billion pledge, Nigeria is making significant strides toward ending TB.
However, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, stressed that continuous investment, increased public awareness, and stronger community engagement would be crucial in achieving a TB-free Nigeria by 2030.
