Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated the country’s strong commitment to eradicating tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, Mrs. Tinubu made the pledge while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila, Philippines. The event brought together over 180 delegates from 47 countries.
Mrs. Tinubu, who serves as both the Global and National Stop TB Champion, emphasized that Nigeria is taking deliberate steps to reduce dependence on donor funding and strengthen local systems to sustain progress toward ending TB.
“The sustainability of our TB response cannot rely solely on external support. It must be driven from within — through leadership, community involvement, and strategic national coordination,” she stated.
She noted that despite temporary reductions in support from some international partners, Nigeria’s anti-TB efforts have remained robust.
“Through steadfast leadership and community engagement, the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025 has not declined. This demonstrates the strength of national ownership and the dedication of Nigerians who continue to advance this cause despite challenges,” she added.
“In Nigeria, we are among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of global TB cases. In 2023 alone, an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developed TB, and over 150,000 died from it. These are not just statistics — they are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters whose lives remind us to act with compassion and urgency,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Stop TB Partnership, and other agencies for their transparency and dedication in ensuring that funds mobilised for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and integration of TB services into primary healthcare are effectively used.
In his remarks, Teodoro Herbosa, Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, described TB as not only a health issue but also a major development challenge, urging nations to stay determined despite progress.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, stressed the importance of integrating national data systems to enhance TB response globally.
“In just the past two months, across five countries, new grant facilities have enabled 8,000 screenings, 5,000 diagnoses, and 3,000 preventive treatments,” she revealed.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, also attended the meeting. The 38th edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was previously held in Abuja in 2024.
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