Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for intensified national efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), stressing the need for increased domestic funding, early detection, improved treatment access, and the elimination of stigma.
In her message marking this year’s World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the First Lady said addressing these critical areas remains key to ending TB in Nigeria.
Despite being preventable and treatable, she noted that the disease continues to affect thousands of families nationwide, underscoring the urgency for sustained intervention and collaboration among stakeholders.
Highlighting the global theme, “Yes! We Can End TB,” Tinubu said it reflects the importance of strong leadership and collective action in accelerating progress toward eliminating the disease by 2030.
She acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in reducing new infections but warned that significant gaps remain, particularly in early diagnosis and access to quality care. According to her, stigma continues to discourage many patients from seeking timely treatment.
Meanwhile, state-level data reveal the scale of the challenge. In Plateau State, about 5,000 TB cases were recorded in 2025, a figure described by Health Commissioner Nicholas Ba’amlong as evidence of the persistent burden of the disease.
Similarly, Kaduna State reported 22,321 TB cases in 2025, up from 21,557 in 2022. The state’s Permanent Secretary for Health, Aishatu Abubakar-Sadiq, disclosed that all detected cases were placed on treatment, with a 98.7 per cent success rate.
Kaduna has also expanded diagnostic capacity through mobile screening units and modern tools such as GeneXpert machines, significantly improving access to testing, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
In Lagos State, authorities intensified awareness campaigns with a public walk and symposium aimed at curbing the spread of TB. The state records about 24,000 cases annually, with thousands still undiagnosed.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, called for innovative strategies and grassroots sensitisation, warning that incomplete treatment could lead to drug-resistant TB.
Also, the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described tuberculosis as a major public health concern due to its airborne nature and Lagos’ dense population.
Health experts at the event stressed that symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats should prompt immediate medical attention, noting that testing and treatment remain free in many public facilities.
Tinubu reiterated that increased domestic financing would reduce reliance on donor support and strengthen Nigeria’s response to the epidemic.
“With sustained political will, community engagement, and shared responsibility, we can end TB by 2030,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to utilise available health services, support affected individuals, and join the nationwide effort to eliminate tuberculosis.
