The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, in a tete a tete with Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare at the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day-Community Outreach @ Sauka, Abuja Monday 24 March 2025
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating tuberculosis (TB) by prioritizing prevention, expanding testing and treatment centers nationwide, and ensuring that TB treatment remains free and accessible, particularly for vulnerable populations.
First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, made this announcement during the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day Community Outreach held in Sauka Community, Abuja.
In a statement released by Alaba Balogun, Information and Public Relations Officer, the government emphasized its dedication to eradicating TB under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through strategic investments in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention.
Call to Action: “Yes! We Can End TB”
This year’s commemoration carries the theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,” with the local slogan “We Fit Do Am.” Senator Oluremi Tinubu stressed that TB is not just a disease but a national emergency requiring urgent attention, given that it is both preventable and curable.
“We are working to bridge the gap in TB detection and care across Nigeria. The government has prioritized the expansion of TB testing and treatment centers, ensuring free and accessible care for all. We are also strengthening our community-based healthcare system and enhancing funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programs,” she stated.
As a Global and National Stop TB Champion, Senator Tinubu pledged an additional ₦1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to bolster the fight against TB in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s TB Burden and Government Response
Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, commended the First Lady’s unwavering support in eradicating TB, noting that Nigeria contributes 4.6% of the global TB burden.
He highlighted that the country recorded its highest-ever TB notification in 2024, with over 400,000 cases detected, translating to a case detection rate of 79%. He also pointed out the significant rise in TB notifications among children, which surged from 8,293 in 2018 to about 43,000 in 2024.
Dr. Salako emphasized that stigma, poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and inadequate healthcare access continue to fuel the TB epidemic. However, he noted that Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen screening, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive services under the National TB Strategic Plan (NSP) as part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Advancements in TB Detection and Healthcare Infrastructure
The Minister revealed that the government has undertaken key initiatives to enhance TB care:
Primary Healthcare Revitalization: Over 10,000 primary healthcare centers are being upgraded, with 120,000 healthcare workers receiving continuous training.
Technology Integration: The use of digital tools, mobile technology, and artificial intelligence is being expanded to improve surveillance, case management, and treatment adherence.
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Portable Digital X-Ray Deployment: Nearly 400 portable digital X-ray machines are being distributed to communities and health facilities to improve early detection, especially in underserved areas.
With these efforts, Nigeria aims to accelerate its fight against TB and move closer to eradicating the disease.
