Venue: Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja
Date: Tuesday, 18th March 2025
As we approach World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2025, the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) and key partners, hosted the Pre-World TB Day Press Conference to mobilize action, foster political commitment, and reinforce efforts to end TB in Nigeria.
In her welcome address, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, and ARFH’s Director of Program TB/HIV, emphasized the need for increased domestic funding, innovation, and stronger partnerships to combat TB.
Special Guests & Dignitaries in Attendance: Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah – Chair, House Committee on AIDS/HIV, Tuberculosis & Malaria; Dr. Mya Sapal Ngon – Team Lead, Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases, WHO; Dr. Godwin Ntadom – Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare; Dr. Labaran Shehu – National Coordinator, NTBLCP; Global Fund Country Representative; Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim – Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM); Mr. Mayowa Joel – Executive Secretary, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria; Executives from IHVN, KNCV, and other development partners; CSO representatives & TB survivors.
Key Issues Discussed:
2025 World TB Day Theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver!!!” with the slogan “We fit do am”
Nigeria’s TB burden: Despite progress, Nigeria remains one of the high-burden TB countries, as highlighted in the 2024 WHO Global TB Report.
Innovations in TB care: New diagnostic tools, shorter treatment regimens, and digital adherence technologies to improve TB management.
Advocacy for domestic resource mobilization: The need to reduce reliance on donor funding and increase government and private sector investment in TB programs.
Achievements in 2024:
- Investiture of the First Lady of Nigeriaas the Global and National Stop TB Champion, along with Governors’ Wives as State TB Champions.
- Launch of the Private Sector Strategy to End TB, securing $50 million in matched funding.
- Procurement of 25 TB LAMPs through donation of the First Lady and additional 50 TB LAMPs by Eiken- Human Diagnostics and Mcpage Investment.
- Strengthening legislative advocacyand increasing TB budget allocations across states.
- Successful hosting of the 2024 National TB Conference, attended by nearly 6,000 participantsand featuring over 200 research presentations.
The Call to Action:
The fight against TB requires urgent action, stronger policies, and sustained investment. Now more than ever, we must scale up funding, increase awareness, and improve access to TB services.
