First Lady Oluremi Tinubu urges stronger leadership, awareness, and collective action to end tuberculosis in Nigeria as the country marks World TB Day 2026.

Oluremi Tinubu Urges Collective Action to End Tuberculosis as Nigeria Marks 2026 World TB Day

The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for stronger national leadership, increased awareness, and collective action to eliminate tuberculosis in the country as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Tuberculosis Day 2026.

In a message marking the 2026 observance of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the First Lady emphasised the need for sustained commitment from government, communities, health workers, and development partners to accelerate efforts aimed at ending the tuberculosis epidemic.

The global health awareness day, celebrated annually, highlights the devastating health, social, and economic impact of tuberculosis while mobilising efforts toward its elimination. The 2026 theme, “Yes! We Can End TB,” underscores the importance of unified action and strong national leadership in tackling the disease.

Mrs. Tinubu noted that although tuberculosis is both preventable and treatable, it continues to affect thousands of families across the country. She acknowledged that Nigeria has made notable progress with a reduction in new tuberculosis cases but stressed that more work remains to be done.

According to her, intensified efforts are required to strengthen domestic financing for TB programmes, expand early detection mechanisms, improve access to quality treatment, and eliminate the stigma that discourages many people from seeking medical care.

The First Lady also reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackling tuberculosis through sustained political will and stronger health interventions.

She further called for increased community engagement and shared responsibility among stakeholders, expressing optimism that with coordinated national efforts, Nigeria can achieve the global target of ending tuberculosis by 2030.

Mrs. Tinubu concluded by encouraging Nigerians to remain proactive in supporting awareness campaigns and ensuring that those affected by tuberculosis receive timely diagnosis and treatment.