The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to prioritize prevention and expanding TB Testing and treatment centres across Nigeria.
First Lady,Senator Oluremi Tinubu, disclosed this at the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day Community Outreach held at Sauka Community, Abuja.
The theme of this year’s edition is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver” with our local slogan ” We Fit Do Am”.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu asserted that this year’s theme is a call to action for all Nigerians and international partners, stressing, beyond being a disease, Tuberculosis TB is a national emergency that requires urgent attention because it is preventable and curable.
According to her, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the government is fully committed to eradicating TB, through strategic investments in diagnostics, treatment and, prevention.
“We are working to bridge the gap in TB detection and care on all fronts in Nigeria.
The government has prioritized expanding TB testing and treatment centres across Nigeria, ensuring that TB treatment remains free and accessible to all, strengthening our community-based healthcare system to reach the most vulnerable populations, enhancing funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programs”.
Senator Oluremi pledged an additional sum of One Billion Naira from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) towards the fight against Tuberculosis in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the First Lady for her unwavering support to eradicate TB in Nigeria.
The Minister indicated that Nigeria is one of the high burden countries contributing 4.6% of the global burden.
He further stated that the challenge of public health worsened by factors such as stigma and discrimination against those affected by TB, poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions and inadequate access to quality healthcare services.
Dr. Salako emphasized that the country recorded its highest-ever TB notification of over 400,000 cases in 2024, translating to a case detection rate of 79% .
“Additionally, TB notification among children has seen remarkable improvement, rising from 8,293 in 2018 to about 43,000 in 2024”, the Minister added .
Dr. Salako said Nigeria has intensified efforts to further strengthen TB screening, diagnosis, treatment and preventive services across the country in line with the TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) .
“The President has directed and provided the enabling environment for primary healthcare revitalisation with over 10,000 primary healthcare centres currently being upgraded and 120,000 healthcare workers at the PHC levels being exposed to ongoing training.”
The Minister added that the use of digital tools, mobile technology and, artificial intelligence is being expanded to enhance surveillance, case management and, adherence to TB treatment .
Almost 400 portable digital x-ray equipment are being deployed to communities and health facilities nationwide to facilitate prompt screening and early diagnosis of TB especially in underserved communities.
