Nigeria Rallies Stakeholders, Media to End Tuberculosis by 2030

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have renewed calls for stronger collaboration, increased domestic funding, and intensified public awareness to end tuberculosis (TB), as the country prepares to commemorate World TB Day 2026.

At a pre-event media briefing held in Abuja, to mark the 2026 World TB Day, government officials, development partners, and health experts emphasized that while progress has been made, Nigeria still carries a significant burden of the disease.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Charles Nzelu, said this year’s theme, “Yes, We Can End TB: Led by Government, Powered by Communities,” highlights the need for strong leadership and grassroots participation.

He noted that tuberculosis remains one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers, with Nigeria among the high-burden countries.

The Director of Public Health however noted that sustained partnerships, innovation, and advocacy have improved case detection and expanded access to diagnosis and treatment.

“Ending TB is achievable when government leads with strong policies and financing, and communities take ownership of the response,” he said.

Also speaking, the Acting National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), Dr. Clement Adesigbin, revealed that Nigeria has significantly increased TB case notifications and treatment coverage in recent years.

According to him, treatment coverage has risen from about 20 percent in 2018 to over 80 percent, driven by improved diagnostics, community engagement, and expanded healthcare services.

He highlighted the deployment of modern diagnostic tools, including molecular testing technologies, which are helping detect TB cases faster, even in remote communities.

Dr. Clement Adesigbin stressed that challenges such as stigma, underreporting, and funding constraints continue to hinder progress despite the gains.
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“TB is curable, and treatment is free in government facilities. Anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks should get tested,” he urged.

The Acting Board Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, noted that the increasing role of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the private sector in mobilising domestic resources to strengthen the fight against tuberculosis (TB) was yielding results.

She noted that the First Lady has emerged as a leading TB champion, providing strong support to control efforts, including a donation of about ₦2 billion to improve access to TB services across the country.

According to her, the First Lady has also demonstrated leadership by rallying the wives of state governors to serve as TB champions in their respective states, a move that has boosted advocacy and resource mobilisation at the sub-national level.

Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, further highlighted the growing involvement of private sector organisations, describing their contributions as vital in sustaining TB interventions through funding, advocacy, and service delivery support, alongside non-governmental organisations.

”Despite these gains, she expressed concern that a large share of TB funding still comes from external partners, stressing the urgent need to strengthen domestic investment.”

“More than 90 per cent of funding has historically come from external sources. There is a clear need to increase local financing to ensure sustainability,” she said.

Dr Ogbuji-Ladipo emphasised that strong policies, effective leadership, and coordinated action are essential to guarantee that all Nigerians have access to TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.

She also commended ongoing efforts by government agencies to enhance coordination and align stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society.

The Acting Board Chair concluded that sustained collaboration and increased domestic funding would be critical to achieving Nigeria’s goal of ending TB, expressing optimism that continued collective action would lead to improved health outcomes nationwide.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Mr. Mayowa Joel, emphasised that the theme reflects a critical shift in the global fight against tuberculosis from reliance on international support to stronger country ownership and grassroots engagement.

He noted that the theme underscores the importance of national leadership, urging governments to move beyond commitments and take full responsibility for designing and implementing strategies tailored to their realities.

According to him, effective policies, increased investments, and stronger accountability systems are essential to achieving meaningful progress in the fight against TB.