World TB Day 2025: Community Health Outreach – Uniting for a TB-Free Nigeria!
Today, stakeholders, policymakers, and partners gathered for the 2025 World TB Day Community Health Outreach at Sauka Community, Abuja, reaffirming their commitment to eliminating Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria.
The event, organized by Stop TB Partnership Nigeria in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) and partners, featured key discussions on investment, policy reforms, and community-driven solutions to tackle TB.
Key Highlights from the Event Agenda
Welcome Address – Delivered by Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria and ARFH’s Director of TB/HIV Programs, who emphasized Nigeria’s urgent need for increased TB awareness, improved healthcare access, and strengthened advocacy efforts.
Goodwill Messages – Shared by representatives from the Global Stop TB Partnership Austin Arinze Obiefuna Board Vice Chair, Dr Walter Mulombo WHO, National Assembly, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Usman Nga Kupi- Sapeyi of Garki, AMAC FCT Abuja reinforcing global and national collaboration.
Health Talk & Special Remarks – Insights from the National and FCT TB Control Programs, followed by remarks from Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (Minister of State for Health).
Keynote Address – Delivered by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria & Global/National Stop TB Champion, highlighting the importance of sustained advocacy, domestic funding, and innovative TB control strategies.
Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo’s Welcome Address Highlights
Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa and ranks 6th globally, with 499,000 cases recorded in 2023, and one person dying every seven minutes from TB (WHO Global TB Report 2024).
TB is preventable and curable, yet many in hard-to-reach communities lack access to diagnosis and treatment.
Achievements under the First Lady’s leadership as Stop TB Champion:
- Local Government TB Champions appointed across several states.
- Launch of the Private Sector Strategy, securing a $50M funding commitment.
- Procurement of 75 TB-LAMP diagnostic machines, improving early TB detection.
- State-level advocacy leading to increased domestic funding, including a ₦50M allocation for MDR-TB services in Kebbi State.
✅ Call to Action– Advocacy for increased resource mobilization, improved healthcare policies, and greater community engagement in TB awareness, screening, and treatment.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Ending TB
Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, pledged ₦1 Billion to support the fight against TB, further strengthening Nigeria’s commitment to eliminating TB through increased investment, political will, and community-driven efforts.
As we continue the fight, everyone has a role to play. Let’s commit, invest, and deliver – because Yes! We Can End TB!
