The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a close friend to tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing that her drive to combat the disease is not just a policy but a deeply personal mission. Her statement, issued on Monday in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day, highlighted the urgency of addressing TB, a disease that continues to claim lives despite being both preventable and curable.
Under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” Mrs. Tinubu joined the global community in reaffirming the need for collective action to end TB. As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, she reiterated the importance of uniting efforts, investing in proven solutions, and ensuring the delivery of life-saving interventions to all affected populations.
“Today, on World Tuberculosis Day 2025, I join the global community in reaffirming our commitment to ending one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, Tuberculosis (TB). Winning the fight against TB is possible when we unite our efforts, invest in proven solutions, and ensure the delivery of life-saving interventions to all who need them,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
The First Lady stressed that tuberculosis remains a critical health threat, especially when undiagnosed and untreated. She made a heartfelt plea to Nigerians to take TB symptoms seriously and seek immediate medical attention for a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or fever.
“As the National and Global Stop TB Champion, I take this responsibility with deep personal commitment. The fight against TB is not just a policy issue – it is personal. I have felt the pain of losing a friend. This is a painful reminder that TB continues to claim lives. We must not allow more people to die from this disease,” she stated.
Mrs. Tinubu called on the global community, especially governments, health organizations, and individuals, to invest in the fight against tuberculosis, which continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
She also urged Nigerians to visit the nearest health facility for free TB testing and treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection in saving lives.
