Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has restated the nation’s determination to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2030, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
She made the declaration at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila, Philippines, where she served as the Special Guest of Honour. The event brought together more than 180 participants across 47 countries to deliberate on global strategies to combat TB.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Tinubu, who also serves as both Global and National Stop TB Champion, described TB as the world’s deadliest airborne infectious disease. She noted that Nigeria remains one of the eight countries with the highest burden of TB globally, recording an estimated 479,000 new cases and over 150,000 deaths in 2023.
She stressed that the sustainability of Nigeria’s TB response cannot depend solely on donor support. Instead, she emphasized the need for strong national leadership, community participation, and efficient coordination to strengthen local health systems.
Despite reduced donor funding in recent times, the First Lady highlighted that Nigeria has ensured no rise in the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025. She attributed this stability to the resilience of health institutions and community-driven efforts.
“Health for all begins in our communities. This fight is not over, and every life lost is a reminder of why we must act with urgency and compassion,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu also commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Stop TB Partnership, and other stakeholders for their accountability in ensuring that funds allocated for expanding testing, diagnosis, and treatment services are properly utilized.
Also speaking, the Stop TB Partnership Board Chair and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, Teodoro Herbosa, noted that TB remains not only a public health issue but a development challenge requiring bold action.
The Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, further stressed the need for countries to integrate data systems to strengthen progress toward eliminating TB.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented Nigeria at the meeting. The previous edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was held in Abuja in 2024.
