During the celebration of this year’s World Tuberculosis Day, with theme, “Yes, we can end TB, Led by Countries, Powered by People,” some experts warned that Nigeria may likely lose the gains made in the control of tuberculosis (TB) if the government fails to bridge the high funding gap in TB response. They also urged the government to address other factors fueling the spread of the disease, such as malnutrition, low awareness, stigma and discrimination.
This warning is not unfounded. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while Nigeria achieved a 63 per cent reduction in TB deaths between 2015 and 2024, incidence rates showed no overall decline. Despite improved treatment outcomes, there is ongoing community transmission of TB across the country. Nigeria recorded 510,000 new TB cases in 2024. This translates to an incidence rate of 219 new infections per 100,000 population.
TB is regarded as the leading infectious killer disease in the world. It is also among the top 10 causes of death globally. About 1.9 billion people worldwide have been impacted by the disease. Nigeria has a high burden of TB, drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), and HIV-associated TB. It also ranks first in TB burden in Africa and sixth globally, which accounts for about 4.6 per cent of the global TB burden.
Statistics show that an estimated 15 Nigerians die every hour from TB, making it equivalent to 360 deaths daily, 10,417 monthly and 125,000 yearly. Many of these deaths are avoidable, because TB is treatable if detected early. To tackle TB, adequate funds are needed. Therefore, Nigeria needs, among others, an urgent funding intervention if the disturbing statistics would be reversed as the nation faces a severe tuberculosis funding gap. It has been revealed that approximately 73 per cent of Nigeria’s 2025 national TB budget has remained unfunded.
In 2024, only 27 per cent of the $405 million required to deliver comprehensive TB treatment and services was released, creating a 73 per cent funding gap. Though the Federal Government has earmarked about N73.4 billion for the procurement of TB drugs and other medical commodities in 2026 to prevent a potential stock-out across the country, it is imperative that these funds should be released on time to avoid unpleasant consequences in the second quarter and the rest of the year.
It is encouraging that Nigeria is gradually taking practical steps to close the TB detection gap with the assistance of the WHO, which recently applauded Nigeria’s current drive to expand access to testing and treatment, and strengthen services for vulnerable populations. It cited the case of 21 year old Gwamkat Rifkatu, who developed a persistent cough that was initially dismissed as minor before it became worse. But she took advantage of a radio awareness campaign urging anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks to seek testing. She was detected to have TB with the aid of GeneXpert, a rapid testing tool, and, months later, she fully recovered and returned to work.
Rifkatu’s saving grace was the radio jingle she heard and the determination to go for testing. We, therefore, call on the federal government to invest more in awareness campaign on the symptoms of TB, preventive measures and treatment options. Cough is a common disease in a tropical climate like ours, but the ability to isolate the TB strain by health workers makes it easier to treat and save lives. This awareness campaign should be done in both English and Nigerian local languages.
Awareness campaign should explore community sensitization through the use of leaflets in primary health centres. They should also be equipped to handle emergencies and achieve better results. Above all, all efforts should be made to handle TB prevalence. This tallies with this year’s World TB Day theme, which emphasises accelerating the rollout of new diagnostic tools, strengthening community-led TB care, investing in resilient health systems and ensuring high-level political commitment to end tuberculosis.
The 2025 WHO Global TB Report revealed that Nigeria had about 510,000 new cases annually, including 61, 000 children cases. One untreated TB case can infect 12–15 people in a year. Out of the 458, 534 TB cases reported in 2025, male represented 57 per cent (262, 058) and 43 per cent (196, 476) were female. WHO said children aged 0–14 years accounted for 10 per cent (46, 952) of all notified TB cases. Among these childhood cases, 56 per cent (26, 173) were male and 44 per cent (20, 779) were female. These figures have underscored the need to strengthen paediatric TB detection and services. Adults have the capacity to seek help, unlike children who need assistance to do so.
Nigeria’s TB response team led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), should not rest on its oars. To complement the efforts of the government, TB patients should not be stigmatised. Since about 71 per cent of TB patients and their households face catastrophic costs arising from lost income and out-of-pocket spending, collective effort is required to end TB in the country.
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