Oluremi Tinubu Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to End Tuberculosis by 2030

Oluremi Tinubu Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to End Tuberculosis by 2030

…Says sustainability of TB response must go beyond donor funding

Manila, Philippines – October 29, 2025: Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated the nation’s unwavering commitment to eradicating tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2030, stressing that the sustainability of Nigeria’s TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, the First Lady said Nigeria has continued to strengthen its TB control efforts through leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination.

She noted that despite reduced support from some international partners, the country’s progress in TB diagnosis and treatment has remained steady, reflecting Nigeria’s growing ownership of its public health response.

“I am pleased to share that, despite the temporary shifts in support from some financing partners, Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against TB have remained strong. Through steadfast leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination, we have ensured that the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025 did not decline,” Senator Tinubu stated.

“This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty.”

She emphasized that health for all begins at the community level, calling for renewed urgency in the fight against tuberculosis, which she described as still the world’s deadliest infectious disease.

“TB remains the biggest infectious killer and a threat to all of us, being airborne. It claims close to 1.3 million lives each year. In Nigeria alone, an estimated 479,000 people developed TB in 2023, with over 150,000 deaths. These are not just numbers — they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion.”

As both a Global and National Stop TB Champion, Senator Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s determination to end TB aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes health system strengthening and community-based healthcare delivery.

She commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Stop TB Partnership, and other partners for their dedication and transparency in ensuring judicious use of funds mobilized for TB testing, diagnosis, and treatment.

In his remarks, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, described TB as not just a health issue but a major development challenge, calling for the deployment of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies to improve testing and treatment.

Similarly, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, highlighted the importance of integrating data systems and national ownership to accelerate progress toward ending TB. She disclosed that new grants rolled out in five countries within the last two months have enabled screening for 8,000 individuals, diagnosis for 5,000, and preventive treatment for 3,000.

“To make greater and sustained progress, countries must own their TB responses, build systems that endure, engage civil society and survivors, and maintain political commitment,” Dr. Ditiu added.

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also attended the Manila meeting. The 38th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was previously hosted by Nigeria in Abuja in 2024.

Signed:
Busola Kukoyi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Wednesday, October 29, 2025