Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged all Nigerians to get tested for tuberculosis (TB) and take proactive steps to combat the disease, which she described as a health emergency requiring immediate attention.
Speaking on Monday at the 2025 World TB Day Community Outreach in Sauka Village, Airport Road, Abuja, the First Lady emphasized the collective responsibility needed to eradicate TB by 2030.
She called on the government, traditional and religious leaders, legislators, youth, healthcare workers, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and international partners to unite in the fight against the disease.
Citing alarming statistics from the World Health Organization’s 2024 Global TB Report, she underscored the urgency of immediate action.
“In Nigeria, one person dies of TB every seven minutes. This means that in the short time we spend at this event, many more lives will be lost if we do not act swiftly and decisively.”
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As part of her commitment to the fight against TB, Senator Tinubu announced an additional N1 billion donation from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support TB eradication efforts.
“As the Global and National Stop TB Champion, I reaffirm my commitment to addressing the scourge of TB in our nation. I will continue to advocate for increased funding, policy reforms, and strengthened TB control efforts. My focus will also remain on mobilizing resources and partnerships to support awareness and treatment programs, amplifying the voices of TB survivors, fighting stigma and discrimination, and ensuring equal access to TB care for women, children, and marginalized groups.”
The First Lady also highlighted the government’s priority of expanding TB testing and treatment centers nationwide to ensure free and accessible treatment for all.
She stressed the need to strengthen community-based healthcare systems to reach the most vulnerable populations and called for enhanced funding and partnerships to scale up TB control programs.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed that eradicating TB in Nigeria by 2030 is an achievable goal.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Health Ministry to intensify efforts to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians.
During the event, the Sapeyi of Garki, Alhaji Dr. Usman Nga Kupi, appealed for the establishment of a Primary Health Centre in Sauka Community. In response, the First Lady assured the community that the request would be fulfilled following a brief discussion with the Minister of State for Health.
The outreach program featured a health talk on TB causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Community members also had the opportunity to undergo free TB testing.
The theme for the 2025 World TB Day campaign is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver”, with the local slogan “We Fit Do Am.”
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