Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has raised concerns over Nigeria`s Tuberculosis (TB) crisis, revealing that one person dies of TB every seven minutes, despite the disease being preventable and curable.
Speaking at World TB Day 2025 Community Outreach in Sauka village on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu described the situation as a national emergency that requires swift and decisive action to save lives.
“In the short time we have spent at this event, many more lives will be lost if we do not act swiftly and decisively,” she warned, citing alarming statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite global advancements in TB treatment, Nigeria remains one of the eight countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis worldwide. Tinubu lamented that many Nigerians still suffer in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and delays in seeking medical care.
“It is unacceptable that so many of our brothers and sisters continue to die from a disease that is both preventable and curable,” she stated.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized expanding TB testing and treatment centers across Nigeria to ensure that free and accessible treatment reaches those in need.
She commended Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for his commitment to TB eradication through improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention programs.
The First Lady also emphasised that the government alone cannot win the fight against TB, calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, the private sector, and international partners to support awareness campaigns and encourage early detection.
Tinubu announced a ₦1 billion pledge through her Renewed Hope Initiative to strengthen TB control efforts and improve healthcare facilities in underserved communities.
Additionally, she confirmed that the Minister of State for Health has approved the establishment of a primary healthcare center in the community , ensuring greater access to TB diagnosis and treatment.
Encouraging citizens to take responsibility for their health, Tinubu stressed the importance of early detection and treatment.
“If you have a persistent cough for more than two weeks, do not ignore it. Seek medical help immediately,” she urged.
She also vowed to advocate for increased funding, mobilize resources, and fight against stigma to ensure that women, children, and marginalized groups have equal access to TB care.
As Nigeria works towards its 2030 goal of ending TB, Tinubu’s message remains clear: “Every life matters. We must act now to stop this silent killer.”
On his part, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako hinted that the Federal Government has intensified efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, with the upgrade of over 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and the training of 120,000 health workers,
Salako reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria is not left behind in the global fight against TB. He noted that the government is expanding TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment services across public and private healthcare facilities in line with the universal health coverage agenda.
Additionally, the government is strengthening community engagement and providing enhanced social protection for TB patients and their families to reduce the disease burden.
Salako commended frontline health workers for their dedication despite the country’s economic challenges, urging Nigerians to recognize their crucial role in combating TB.
He also praised First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her financial and advocacy support, which has played a pivotal role in mobilizing Nigerians to seek early diagnosis and adhere to treatment.
“TB is not a death sentence; it is preventable and treatable,” he stated, reassuring individuals and families affected by the disease that the Federal Government remains committed to providing the necessary treatment and support.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, called for increased domestic funding to combat tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, warning that foreign funding is declining.
Speaking through Hon. Dominic Okafo, Ogah emphasized that resource mobilization is crucial for Nigeria’s TB response.
He revealed that the House of Representatives has urged the private sector to set up a TB fund, similar to what has been done for HIV and malaria, to ensure sustainable financing.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the unprecedented ₦700 billion investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system, stating that the move signals the country’s ability to tackle health challenges without relying heavily on foreign aid.
Ogah also condemned the stigma and discrimination against people affected by TB, announcing that the House Committee will soon pass a law prohibiting such discrimination.
He stressed the need for increased TB screening initiatives, improved healthcare worker education, and better public awareness campaigns to reinforce that TB is preventable and curable.
“For us to eliminate TB by 2030, we must commit, invest, and deliver,” he declared, urging all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to intensify efforts in the fight against TB.
Also, Dr. Austin Arinze Obiefuna, Board Vice Chair, Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva said Nigeria is setting the pace in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB) through strong commitments, strategic investments, and effective delivery of TB interventions.
He commended Nigeria’s remarkable progress in strengthening its health workforce and tackling TB, stating that the country’s efforts are not only leading in Africa but also gaining recognition at the global level. “When I stand in the corridors of the WHO, the UN, or the African Union, I am proud of Nigeria’s performance,” Dr. Arinze said.
He praised the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support and advocacy in the fight against TB, urging the government and stakeholders to sustain the momentum. “Nigeria is walking the talk, and this is the best way to fight TB by working directly with communities and delivering real impact,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Nigeria raised concerns over drastic cuts in global health funding, warning that the progress made in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) could be reversed if urgent investments are not made.
He noted that global TB efforts have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000, but funding shortages now pose a serious threat to sustaining these gains. He cautioned that disruptions in TB response, including research into advanced diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines, are at risk due to financial constraints.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Mulombo applauded Nigeria’s leadership in tackling TB, highlighting the donation of TB diagnostic machines and ₦1 billion by First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
He also commended the allocation of an additional ₦700 billion by the Federal Government to combat HIV, TB, malaria, and immunization, as well as the launch of a $50 million private sector strategy to accelerate TB elimination.
“Nigeria is not just watching; Nigeria is taking action,” he declared, urging donors, private sector players, academia, the press, and communities to join forces in the fight against TB. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to end TB by 2030 and called for collective action to sustain the progress achieved so far.
Similarly, the Sapeyi of Garki, HRH Usman Nga Kupi called for the establishment of a health center in Sauka, a densely populated community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to serve as a TB diagnosis and treatment hub.
He emphasized that while awareness programs are crucial in tackling TB, tangible investments in healthcare infrastructure are essential for effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. “Sauka remains one of the large communities in the FCT without a health facility.
A dedicated TB center here would not only help combat the disease but also improve overall healthcare delivery,” he stated. He commended First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and donor agencies for their commitment to the fight against TB, urging the government to translate commitments into lasting healthcare solutions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Daju Kachollom represented by Mr Akpan emphasized the need for early detection, urging community members to take advantage of available screening services.
“If you or anyone you know has been coughing for two weeks or more, experiencing weight loss, fever, or night sweats, please step forward for screening,” she said.
Kachollom commended First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering support in tackling TB and acknowledged global partners such as WHO, the Global Fund, and the Stop TB Partnership for their role in strengthening Nigeria’s TB response.
She called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens to move beyond awareness and take decisive action in the fight against TB. “Yes, we can end TB,” she declared.
In her welcome address,Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria said
with 499,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases recorded in 2023 and one person dying every seven minutes, Nigeria remains the highest TB-burden country in Africa and the sixth globally.
She emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, especially in remote communities with limited access to healthcare. She commended First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her role in mobilizing support, noting that her donation of TB diagnostic machines has improved testing services, including at the event’s community outreach in Sauka, Abuja.
Ogbuji-Ladipo also highlighted the launch of a $50 million private sector initiative to combat TB, urging stakeholders to sustain advocacy efforts and resource mobilization to eliminate TB in Nigeria. “Together, we can end TB. Yes, we fit do am,” she declared.
