Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen | Stone Reporters News
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, emphasizing that the sustainability of Nigeria’s TB response cannot rely solely on external assistance.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, Tinubu told an audience of over 180 participants from 47 countries that Nigeria is working to strengthen domestic systems, reduce dependence on donor funding, and ensure long-term national ownership of its health response.
“The sustainability of our TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance,” she declared. “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. This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and to the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty.”
The First Lady highlighted that despite temporary shifts in financial support from some international partners, Nigeria’s TB control efforts have remained strong and resilient. She credited this progress to the active collaboration between government agencies, communities, and development partners.
Tinubu reminded participants that tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming nearly 1.3 million lives annually. She noted that Nigeria still ranks among the eight countries accounting for two-thirds of global TB cases — with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing TB in 2023 and over 150,000 deaths recorded.
“These are not just numbers,” she said. “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, the First Lady reaffirmed Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, pledging unwavering dedication to achieving the 2030 TB eradication goal.
She also commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, and other stakeholders for their transparency and commitment to ensuring that all funds mobilized for TB testing, diagnosis, and treatment are properly utilized and integrated into primary healthcare services.
“Health for all begins in our communities,” she stressed. “Coming together for the Stop TB Partnership meetings reminds us that the fight against tuberculosis is not over — TB remains a threat for all of us because it is airborne.”
The meeting in Manila brought together global health leaders, ministers, and civil society representatives to review progress and renew strategies aimed at accelerating the elimination of tuberculosis worldwide.
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