As Nigeria marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2025, the Federal Government has vowed to accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease, with the country ranking first in Africa and sixth globally among the 30 high-burden TB nations.
In line with this commitment, the government has pledged expanded screening, digital innovations, and stronger community engagement to tackle TB, which remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the country.
Director of public health at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Godwin Ntadom disclosed this at a pre-World TB Day press briefing in Abuja. According to the 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report, an estimated 499,000 Nigerians developed TB in 2023, with over 400,000 cases identified and treated in 2024, translating to a 79 per cent treatment coverage rate. While this progress is notable, thousands of cases remain undiagnosed, leading to continued transmission of the disease.
Ntadom emphasised the significant economic and social burden of TB, particularly among Nigeria’s most productive age group, those aged 25 to 44 years. He explained that TB pushes many families into poverty, worsened by malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions and inadequate access to healthcare. Officials warned that an untreated TB patient could infect up to 15 people per year, highlighting the urgency of intensified screening, diagnosis and treatment efforts.
In line with the National TB Strategic Plan (2021–2026) and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the government has outlined several key strategies to accelerate TB eradication. These include expanding TB services across public and private health facilities under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, strengthening community engagement by working with traditional and religious leaders to raise awareness and reduce stigma, integrating TB services into reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH+N) programmes and deploying 370 portable digital X-ray machines to facilitate screening, particularly in underserved communities.
Other strategies include enhancing social protection for TB patients and their families to ease financial burdens and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure TB control efforts are sustained.
The theme for this year’s World TB Day, “Yes! we can end TB – Commit. Invest. Deliver,” alongside the slogan “we fit do am,” underscores the need for stronger collaboration across various sectors. Ntadom disclosed that the government has launched the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB) to ensure all stakeholders – including government ministries, donor agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector – actively participate in TB eradication efforts.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the free TB testing and treatment services available at directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) centres nationwide.
TB is curable and anyone experiencing a persistent cough lasting two or more weeks should visit a health facility.
Officials also encouraged the public to use the toll-free TB helpline (3340) for support and information. With just five years remaining to meet the global 2030 TB eradication target, stakeholders emphasised the need for sustained investment in diagnosis, treatment and awareness.
While the goal of eliminating TB by 2030 remains ambitious, Ntadom stressed that even if complete eradication is not achieved, efforts must ensure that TB no longer constitutes a major public health threat in Nigeria.
Acting board chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo acknowledged the country’s high TB burden despite progress in diagnosis, treatment and advocacy. She stated that the 2025 theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,” reinforces the need for strong political and financial commitment to tackling the disease.
Ogbuji-Ladipo highlighted key achievements recorded in 2024, including advocacy successes, the emergence of high-profile TB champions such as the First Lady and several state governors, increased private-sector funding commitments and the procurement of additional diagnostic equipment. However, she stressed the growing urgency for domestic resource mobilisation, especially as donor support continues to decline. She called on policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and the public to push for better TB prevention, detection, and treatment policies.
A TB survivor, Mr. Ekong Francis Ubong emphasised the importance of raising awareness and advocating for better support systems through media platforms like TV People Nigeria. He detailed his experience as a TB patient, underscoring the need for increased awareness campaigns, stronger policy framework and an enabling environment for TB survivors. He noted that advocacy, support groups and community outreach programmes play a critical role in reducing TB stigma and improving access to treatment.
Chair of the 2025 World TB Day Planning Committee, Dr. Enang Oyama disclosed that the committee had approved the relaunch of the National Parliamentary Caucus on TB. To commemorate this year’s World TB Day, a special press conference by parliamentarians has been scheduled for March 25 at the National Assembly. He invited Nigerians to participate in the event, emphasising the need for sustained public engagement in TB eradication efforts.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that primarily affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or spit, making it highly contagious. While TB is preventable and curable, it remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases globally. An estimated quarter of the world’s population is infected with TB bacteria, but only five to ten percent will eventually develop symptoms and progress to active disease. Those infected but asymptomatic cannot transmit the disease, making early detection and treatment crucial.
TB is typically treated with antibiotics and without treatment, it can be fatal. In certain countries, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is administered to infants and young children to prevent severe forms of TB. The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce TB-related deaths among children and protect against the most serious manifestations of the disease.
Certain health conditions can increase an individual’s risk of developing active TB, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to TB infection and disease progression. Babies and young children are also at higher risk due to their developing immune systems.
Despite challenges, Nigeria remains committed to achieving the 2030 TB eradication target. The government’s intensified efforts, coupled with increased investment in research, treatment, and awareness campaigns, are expected to yield significant improvements in TB control. With enhanced collaboration among government agencies, health professionals, civil society, and the private sector, stakeholders believe that TB can be effectively managed, if not entirely eliminated, in the coming years.
As World TB Day 2025 is observed, experts continue to stress the importance of early diagnosis, proper treatment and widespread public education to reduce transmission. The renewed commitment from the Nigerian government and its partners signals hope for a future where TB is no longer a major public health concern in the country.
