The Global Fund has revealed that more than 50,000 Nigerians who tested positive for tuberculosis (TB) remain untreated, despite intensified national screening efforts. The situation, it warned, could undermine Nigeria’s fight against the deadly but curable disease.
Executive secretary of the Global Fund’s country coordinating mechanism (CCM), Ibrahim Tajudeen disclosed this Monday in Abuja at the 11th quarterly meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). He said the individuals were identified through extensive TB case-finding campaigns supported by government and donor partners, but a major funding gap is hindering the country’s ability to initiate timely treatment.
“We have successfully screened over 50,000 people who tested positive for TB, but many are not yet receiving treatment due to limited resources,” Tajudeen said. “The backlog continues to grow because of budgetary constraints in the current Global Fund cycle, which has forced reprioritisation of planned activities.”
He added that the CCM must align with a revised grant allocation by July 14, a deadline he said could determine whether thousands of Nigerians gain access to lifesaving TB treatment or remain untreated.
Tuberculosis remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health threats. Although it is preventable and curable, gaps in treatment access continue to fuel transmission, especially among vulnerable populations. Tajudeen stressed that the situation is not merely a funding issue, but a potential public health emergency if not urgently addressed.
Highlighting broader health sector interventions, he noted that over 25.5 million TB tests have been conducted using modern diagnostic platforms. Additionally, 370 digital X-ray machines have been procured, with deliveries already made to several states. The ongoing upgrade of six regional reference laboratories is expected to further enhance Nigeria’s diagnostic capacity.
Tajudeen also pointed to other donor-supported efforts, including the distribution of 16.6 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to support malaria prevention. However, despite a $95.5 million donor commitment to various interventions, earlier budget projections remain unmet, forcing authorities to suspend critical activities such as drug procurement, training and infrastructure development.
“Screening alone is not enough,” he warned. “Without adequate treatment, we risk fuelling the very epidemic we aim to eliminate.”
The Global Fund has long supported Nigeria’s fight against TB, HIV and malaria, providing resources for medicines, diagnostics and preventive tools like mosquito nets. Its interventions also strengthen health systems by equipping laboratories, deploying digital health technologies, expanding oxygen access, and training health workers at the community level.
Health advocates say the current TB treatment gap underscores the urgency of increased domestic financing and sustained donor engagement. They warn that leaving diagnosed individuals untreated could accelerate TB transmission and weaken Nigeria’s broader health goals.
Science Nigeria reports that Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest TB burden globally. Experts are now urging stronger collaboration between the government, donors and partners to ensure that everyone diagnosed receives timely care and support.
