Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for renewed efforts in public-private partnerships and integrated service delivery to combat the growing tuberculosis (TB) burden in the country. Speaking at the 2024 National TB Conference in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the urgency of addressing the disease, describing it as “a leading cause of death in Nigeria.”
She highlighted that Nigeria is the sixth highest TB-burdened nation globally and the first in Africa, with approximately 467,000 TB cases recorded in 2023, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report. “Despite the progress we have made, the burden of TB remains alarming, particularly in low and middle-income countries like ours,” she remarked.
Mrs. Tinubu acknowledged the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, alongside contributions from civil society organizations and international partners. “Thanks to these partnerships, we have seen a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB,” she said.
The First Lady stressed the importance of collective action and innovation to close gaps in TB care, calling for sustained investment and innovative strategies to achieve the global TB targets by 2030. She also highlighted her personal contributions, including funding for TB diagnostic tools. “I am glad that the money I donated earlier this year has been used judiciously to procure more TB diagnostic tools, which will help to increase TB diagnosis and case finding,” she added.
Mrs. Tinubu expressed her admiration for health workers and TB survivors for their dedication. “To the health workers, community leaders, and TB survivors working tirelessly on the frontlines, you are the true heroes of this fight,” she said.
The keynote address was delivered by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis through inclusive and collaborative strategies. He commended the efforts of health workers, development partners, and the private sector, emphasizing health as a unifying force for the nation under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Prof. Pate also highlighted the launch of a private-sector partnership in July 2024, which secured up to $25 million in commitments from private organizations to support TB initiatives. He called for more private sector involvement, citing the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s example of health insurance expansion for employees.
In his address, Prof. Pate praised the significant progress made in addressing drug-resistant TB, resource mobilization, and innovative strategies. However, he called for continued collaboration, stressing the need for increased domestic resource allocation and the importance of state-level accountability in complementing federal efforts.
Dr. Bertrand Odume, Chair of the Central Planning Committee, outlined the conference’s objective to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration, share knowledge, and showcase innovative strategies for TB eradication. This year’s theme, Public-Private Partnership and Integrated Service Delivery to End Tuberculosis in Nigeria, underscores the need for synergy among government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
Dr. Odume also reported a record 364 abstracts submitted for the conference, with 60 selected for oral presentations and 146 for posters. He emphasized the critical role of research and innovation in advancing TB control efforts.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, praised Nigeria’s achievements, including a 50% reduction in TB-related deaths between 2015 and 2023. He commended the country’s innovative approach, such as the establishment of a TB matching fund with the private sector in 2024, which accounted for 29% of TB cases notified in 2023.
However, Dr. Mulombo also noted ongoing challenges, including a 60% funding gap in 2023 and rising cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). He urged stakeholders to prioritize inclusive strategies and invest in innovative technologies to accelerate progress. “Together, through advanced technology and community-led strategies, supported by adequate domestic funding, we can transform Nigeria’s TB response and make TB a disease of the past,” he said.
The conference continues to provide a platform for experts to collaborate, share insights, and push forward Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its 2035 global TB control targets.
