Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to end tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2030, stressing that the sustainability of Nigeria’s TB response cannot rely solely on external assistance.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, Philippines, Mrs. Tinubu said Nigeria has recorded significant progress in TB detection and treatment through leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination.
“Despite temporary shifts in support from some financing partners, Nigeria’s fight against TB has remained strong. The number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025 did not decline, which reflects the strength of country ownership and the commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward,” she said.
The First Lady told over 180 participants from 47 countries that Nigeria is deliberately working to reduce its dependence on donor funding by building resilient systems capable of sustaining progress even during unexpected challenges.
Highlighting the global burden of the disease, Mrs. Tinubu noted that tuberculosis remains the world’s biggest infectious killer, claiming about 1.3 million lives annually.
“In Nigeria, we are among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing TB in 2023 and more than 150,000 deaths recorded. These are not just numbers; they represent mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion,” she said.
She reaffirmed that Nigeria’s resolve to end TB aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that achieving this goal requires stronger political commitment and full community participation.
“As the First Lady of Nigeria and as a Global and National Stop TB Champion, I reaffirm Nigeria’s determination to end TB by 2030,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, its agencies, and the Stop TB Partnership for their dedication and transparency in ensuring that all resources mobilized for TB testing, diagnosis, and treatment are used effectively.
The Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, Teodoro Herbosa, described TB as a development challenge that requires sustained innovation and determination.
“Artificial Intelligence and innovative technologies must be deployed to improve testing, detection, and treatment of TB if we are to win this fight effectively. The digital transformation of TB care must be pursued and sustained,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, underscored the importance of integrating national data systems to strengthen global TB response.
“In five countries over the last two months, new grant facilities have been deployed, resulting in 8,000 people screened, 5,000 diagnosed, and 3,000 enrolled in preventive treatment,” she revealed.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, was also in attendance.
The 38th edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was held in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2024.
