First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Pledges N1bn to Strengthen Fight Against Tuberculosis

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Pledges N1bn to Strengthen Fight Against Tuberculosis  

…Calls for urgent action to curb the deadly disease  

ABUJA – Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated the urgent need to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in the country, describing it as a health emergency that requires swift and decisive action.  

Speaking at the 2025 World TB Day Community Outreach in Sauka Village, Airport Road, Abuja, the First Lady urged Nigerians to get tested and know their TB status. She emphasized that ending TB by 2030 is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of government, traditional and religious leaders, legislators, youth, healthcare workers, the private sector, and international partners.  

“The statistics from the World Health Organization’s 2024 Global TB Report are alarming. In Nigeria, one person dies of TB every seven minutes. This means that, in the short time we will spend at this event, many more lives will be lost if we do not act swiftly and decisively,” she warned.  

In a major boost to the fight against TB, Senator Tinubu announced an additional N1 billion donationbfrom the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support TB prevention, testing, and treatment efforts in Nigeria.  

“As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, I reaffirm my commitment to addressing this scourge. I will continue to advocate for increased funding and policy reforms, mobilize resources and partnerships, and amplify the voices of TB survivors to eliminate stigma and discrimination. We must ensure that women, children, and marginalized groups have equal access to TB care,” she added.  

The First Lady highlighted ongoing government efforts to expand TB testing and treatment centers across the country, ensuring that TB care remains free and accessible to all Nigerians. She also stressed the need to strengthen community-based healthcare systems and enhance partnerships to scale up TB control programs.  

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, also spoke at the event, reaffirming that Nigeria’s target to eradicate TB by 2030 is achievable. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the Ministry a clear directive to intensify efforts in improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.  

In response to a request from the Sapeyi of Garki, Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, for a Primary Health Centre** in Sauka Community, the First Lady assured residents that it would be established, following a brief discussion with the Minister of State for Health.  

The event featured a health talk on the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB, as well as free TB testing for members of the community.  

The theme for the 2025 World TB Day is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,” with the local slogan “We Fit Do Am.”