Writing By Bello Wakili; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, stressing that the country’s response must not rely entirely on external support.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila, Philippines, Senator Tinubu said Nigeria is strengthening leadership, community participation, and national coordination to ensure more citizens are diagnosed and treated.
She noted that despite reduced assistance from some financial partners, TB interventions have continued to record steady progress across the country.
The First Lady, who serves as both Global and National Stop TB Champion, said Nigeria remains one of the eight countries contributing two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 infections and over 150,000 deaths in 2023.
She emphasized that the drive to end TB aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while commending health authorities and partners for expanding access to testing, diagnosis and treatment.
Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board, Teodoro Herbosa, stressed that TB remains a major development challenge, calling for wider use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to strengthen surveillance and care.
Executive Director of the Partnership, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, highlighted innovative funding that recently enabled screening of 8,000 people across five countries, with thousands placed on preventive therapy.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, attended the meeting. The previous board session was hosted in Abuja in 2024.
COV/Bello Wakili
