The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, stressing that the sustainability of the country’s TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance.

Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, Mrs Tinubu said Nigeria is strengthening efforts to reduce reliance on donor funding, build resilient health systems, and ensure that no setback, however unexpected, derails progress toward eliminating the disease.

She told an audience of more than 180 participants from 47 countries that, despite temporary reductions in support from some financing partners, Nigeria recorded no decline in the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025.

“This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty,” she said.

According to the First Lady, sustained leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination have ensured that the country remains on course in its TB response.

She noted that the fight against the disease must begin at the community level.

“TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease and a threat to all of us, being airborne,” she said, adding that it claims about 1.3 million lives annually.

She lamented that Nigeria remains among the eight countries accounting for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing the disease in 2023 and over 150,000 dying from it.

“These are not just numbers, they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion,” she stressed.

Mrs Tinubu, a Global and National Stop TB Champion, commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, its agencies, the Stop TB Partnership, and other stakeholders for the judicious use of resources mobilised to expand access to testing, diagnosis, and treatment, and to integrate TB services into primary healthcare.

Also speaking, Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretary of Health of the Philippines, Teodoro Herbosa, said TB remains not only a public health issue but also a major development challenge.

He called for increased deployment of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies to improve detection and treatment.

“Digital transformation of TB care must be pursued and sustained,” he said.

Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, Dr Lucica Ditiu, who presented the board report, underscored the importance of strengthened data systems and domestic ownership to achieving TB elimination targets.

She disclosed that, in just two months across five countries, newly deployed grant facilities enabled screening for 8,000 people, diagnosis of 5,000, and preventive treatment for 3,000.

Dr Ditiu stressed that stronger political commitment, durable systems, and active engagement of civil society, communities, and TB survivors are vital to sustaining progress.

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, was also in attendance.

The 38th edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was held in Abuja in 2024.