…WHO warns of funding cuts
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, focusing on expanding healthcare services and community engagement.
This was emphasised by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako on Monday in Abuja during the commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day 2025.
The event also saw the wife of the Nigeria president, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu pledge an additional ₦1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to strengthen TB control efforts nationwide. Speaking at the event, Salako acknowledged the challenges Nigeria faces in tackling TB but praised frontline health workers for their dedication.
“Your Excellency, I fully support this programme. I know additional support is coming in and it will be significant. I pray that Almighty God continues to bless and strengthen you,” he said, appreciating Tinubu’s intervention. He further acknowledged the critical role of health workers in TB detection and treatment.
“Nigeria is faced with significant challenges concerning TB. But despite those challenges, I must appreciate the frontline health workers for the incredible work they are doing. I would like us to applaud all the health workers in Nigeria,” he said.
Salako highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria is not left behind in the global effort to eliminate TB by 2030. “The President has directed and provided a new field environment for primary healthcare revitalisation, with over 10,000 primary healthcare centres currently being upgraded. In addition, we are training over 120,000 health workers at advanced levels to strengthen TB control efforts,” he stated.
He also emphasised the government’s work in expanding TB screening, diagnosis and treatment services across public and private healthcare facilities under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. “We are strengthening community engagement and providing enhanced social protection packages for TB patients and their families. In conclusion, Your Excellency, I extend my sincere solidarity and empathy to all individuals and families affected by TB,” he said.
He reassured the Federal Government’s determination to provide necessary treatment and support for TB patients, ensuring no one is left behind. “On behalf of the Federal Government, once again, I wish to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to make Nigeria free of TB. Yes, we can end TB together,” he declared.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo raised concerns over the risk of losing two decades of progress against TB due to global funding cuts. “Today, we face the existential threat of losing the huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years due to funding cuts, which are already disrupting access to prevention, screening and treatment services,” he warned.
Despite this challenge, Mulombo commended Nigeria’s progress, citing a 300 per cent increase in TB case notifications over the past five years. “In just five years, Nigeria has scaled up numerous innovations and interventions, resulting in a massive increase in TB case notifications – from 138,583 in 2020 to 418,198 in 2024,” he noted.
However, he warned that disruptions in TB services could have fatal consequences for thousands of Nigerians affected by the disease. Mulombo emphasised that strong collaboration with civil society and affected communities remains critical in ensuring uninterrupted access to care.
He reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in accelerating its TB response through technical guidance aligned with the latest WHO TB recommendations, stronger collaboration with donors, the private sector and civil society to mitigate funding gaps, mobilising domestic and international resources for TB eradication and enhancing TB awareness and vaccination efforts, including BCG for newborns and malaria vaccines for children aged 5–15 months.
He urged community leaders to take charge of health promotion in their communities, ensuring access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare services. “TB is curable and treatable. I urge anyone coughing for two weeks or more to go for a TB test at the nearest health facility,” he said.
Tinubu announced an additional ₦1 billion donation from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). She said the funds would be directed towards expanding TB awareness campaigns to encourage early detection and reduce stigma, enhancing TB screening and diagnostic services in underserved communities and supporting TB patients and their families with social protection measures.
She noted that TB remains a leading infectious disease in Nigeria, causing over 200,000 new cases annually and urged stronger multi-sectoral collaboration to accelerate efforts toward elimination. It would be recalled that this year’s World TB Day theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” was echoed throughout the event, reinforcing a message of hope, urgency and accountability across all sectors. Nigeria’s localised slogan, “We Fit Do Am,” further emphasised the need for collective action in tackling TB.
Meanwhile, Mulombo called on all stakeholders – donors, the private sector, civil society, academia and the media – to unite in the fight against TB. “I have faith that ‘Yes! We can end TB.’ We fit do am,” he declared.
With the Federal Government’s renewed commitment, WHO’s technical and financial support, and the Tiniubu’s ₦1 billion pledge, Nigeria is making significant strides in the fight against TB. However, acting board chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo stressed that continuous investment, increased public awareness and stronger community engagement will be crucial in achieving a TB-free Nigeria by 2030.
As the country moves forward, experts warn that sustained efforts in early diagnosis, expanded treatment and better funding mechanisms will be essential to eliminating TB as a public health threat.
