The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has commended Nigeria for its groundbreaking efforts in public health, particularly its adoption of innovative strategies and advancements in local manufacturing.
Speaking at the National Tuberculosis (TB) Conference in Abuja, director-general of Africa CDC,Dr. Jean Kaseya, described Nigeria as a model for Africa, praising its leadership in tackling health challenges and strengthening health systems.
“Nigeria’s public health innovations are making the entire continent proud. However, we must address persistent inequities that make diseases like tuberculosis (TB) a major concern.
“The solutions to end TB exist, but they must be supported by equitable resource allocation,” he said.
Kaseya also urged Nigeria’s leaders to prioritize domestic resource mobilisation for TB control while complementing these efforts with external funding to achieve a TB-free Nigeria. He extended an invitation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to address African heads of state at a high-level meeting in February 2025 to advocate for sustainable health financing for children and public health initiatives.
Executive director of the KNCV TB Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Bethrand Odume highlighted progress in TB advocacy and innovation, emphasising that the National TB Conference has become a critical platform for driving collaboration and evidence-based policies.
“This year’s conference recorded over 6,000 participants and 364 abstract submissions, reflecting the growing interest in TB eradication.
“Ending TB requires robust research, advanced diagnostic tools, and integrated efforts across healthcare services. We must also address vulnerable populations, comorbidities and drug-resistant TB,” he said.
Odume stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and sustained political commitment.
Speaking on government leadership and commitment, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako lauded the First Lady for her advocacy and resource mobilisation fronts, including a N2 billion donation to her foundation.
Salako revealed that part of these funds had been used to procure WHO-approved rapid diagnostic tools, which have significantly expanded TB diagnostics and treatment services for underserved populations.
“TB disproportionately affects society’s most vulnerable populations, linking it to poverty and inequality. Addressing this issue aligns with Nigeria’s universal health coverage goals and sustainable development priorities,” he said.
Addressing TB challenges and the need for community-driven solutions, acting board chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, noted that despite advancements in genetic research and healthcare systems, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in reducing its high TB burden.
“Stigma, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare hinder efforts to combat TB. Community trust and public-private collaboration are essential to improving healthcare outcomes,” she said.
‘Science Nigeria’ reports that stakeholders at the conference—including political leaders, NGOs, and private sector representatives—emphasised the need for sustained partnerships, innovative approaches and strong political will to end TB and HIV in Nigeria.
As Nigeria continues its public health journey, experts expressed optimism that ongoing collaboration between government agencies, international partners, and local communities will pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future.
Meanwhile, in 2021, Nigeria recorded an estimated 467,000 TB cases, with 125,000 deaths attributed to the disease. The country notified 204,725 incident TB cases in the same year, with 76.55 per cent of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases tested for rifampicin resistance (RR-TB).
