The first lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has declared Tuberculosis a National Emergency.
First lady who made the declaration during a community outreach event in Sauka, Abuja, to mark World Tuberculosis Day also emphasized the preventable and curable nature of the disease and announced a donation of N1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support efforts aimed at eradicating TB in Nigeria.
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Senator Tinubu’s commitment to the fight against TB is deeply personal, as she revealed the pain of losing a close friend to the disease. This personal loss has transformed her advocacy into a mission to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
Nigeria faces a significant TB burden, ranking sixth globally and first in Africa for the number of TB cases.
In 2023, the country reported an incidence rate of 219 cases per 100,000 people. Despite ongoing efforts, TB remains a leading cause of death, underscoring the need for intensified intervention strategies.
The Nigerian government has demonstrated a renewed commitment to eliminating TB by 2030. Efforts include expanding treatment centers nationwide, strengthening community-based healthcare systems to reach vulnerable populations, and enhancing funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programs amid dwindling donor support.
The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) has developed a Strategic Plan for 2021–2025, aiming to accelerate efforts to end the TB epidemic by ensuring access to comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered, and community-owned TB services for all Nigerians.
Despite these initiatives, Nigeria continues to face challenges in TB control, including underreporting and underdiagnosis. In 2021, only 204,725 cases were reported, accounting for approximately 44% of the estimated 467,000 incident cases that year. This indicates significant gaps in detection and reporting systems.
To address these challenges, Senator Tinubu has called for sustained investment, innovative strategies, and a renewed focus on breaking barriers to care and support. She emphasized that with collective efforts, Nigeria can achieve the global TB targets by 2035.
The First Lady’s declaration of TB as a national emergency and her substantial financial commitment highlight the urgency (NTBLCP) of combating the disease in Nigeria. These actions, coupled with government initiatives and strategic plans, aim to reduce the TB burden and move towards the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030. Sustained efforts, community engagement, and innovative strategies will be critical in achieving these objectives and ensuring a healthier future for all Nigerians