Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eradicating tuberculosis by the year 2030, pledging continued national efforts and reduced dependency on foreign donors to strengthen the fight against the deadly disease.
Speaking as the special guest of honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, Philippines, Mrs Tinubu reiterated that the Tinubu administration remains focused on its Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes building a healthier and more resilient population.
In her address, the First Lady, who serves as both the Global and National Stop TB Champion, said Nigeria is determined to reduce its reliance on external funding while expanding domestic resource mobilisation to sustain TB control programmes.
She noted that tuberculosis, being airborne, remains the world’s leading infectious killer and a public health threat that demands a unified global response.
“The sustainability of the TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance but must come from within, through leadership, community engagement, and national coordination,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She commended Nigerian health authorities and communities for maintaining strong progress in TB diagnosis and treatment despite temporary setbacks in donor support.
According to her, 2025 recorded stable TB control figures, showing that national resilience and citizen-driven action can sustain the campaign against the disease.
“This is a testament to the power of country ownership and the unwavering commitment of Nigerians driving the response forward,” she added.
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Highlighting the human cost of the disease, the First Lady reminded attendees that tuberculosis claims approximately 1.3 million lives annually worldwide, including over 150,000 deaths in Nigeria.
The country remains one of the eight nations accounting for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing the infection in 2023.
“These are not just numbers—they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act urgently and compassionately,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu praised the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Stop TB Partnership, and related agencies for their transparency and dedication in managing resources for testing, diagnosis, and treatment integration into primary healthcare.
In his remarks, Hon. Teodoro Herbosa, Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, described TB as “a development challenge as much as a health concern,” urging countries to remain relentless in their efforts.
Similarly, Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, emphasised the importance of data integration between national systems and global partners, citing recent successes from new TB screening and treatment initiatives.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The previous edition of the board meeting was held in Abuja in 2024, underscoring Nigeria’s central role in the global effort to end tuberculosis by 2030.
NAN
