The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) says it has intensified nationwide efforts against tuberculosis (TB), aiming to strengthen the detection, treatment, and prevention of the disease across the country.
The initiative has engaged more than 20,000 private healthcare providers across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), offering free TB testing and referral services to expand access for Nigerians.
Dr Temitope Adetiba, Senior Programme Manager at IHVN, disclosed the scale-up at a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2026 World TB Day, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to expanding access to TB services nationwide.
Adetiba explained that the scale-up was part of a multi-year project (2024–2025), building on lessons learned from previous collaborations with Uganda and TB-COVID-19 interventions to strengthen Nigeria’s TB prevention and treatment infrastructure.
“The private sector network extends beyond hospitals to include medicine vendors, pharmacies, laboratories, birth attendants, and traditional healers, who are trained to identify TB symptoms and refer suspected cases to designated hospitals for treatment,” she said.
She stressed that the National TB Programme maintains strict patient follow-up to ensure treatment begins promptly after diagnosis, which is critical in breaking transmission chains and reducing TB prevalence across communities.
Addressing past medicine shortages, Adetiba explained that global supply disruptions previously affected TB drug availability, but current measures aim to improve domestic production and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported medicines and supplies.
She emphasised that integrating formal and informal private sector actors expands TB service coverage, ensuring no patient is left behind in the fight against tuberculosis, which remains a major public health concern nationwide.
Adetiba called for sustained partnerships, stronger community engagement, and integrated service delivery, noting that the 2026 World TB Day theme highlights government leadership and grassroots participation in ending the TB epidemic.
“Ending TB is ambitious but achievable through coordinated action, community ownership, and partner alignment. It requires strong government leadership, private sector support, and active participation of communities across Nigeria,” she added.
She also noted that TB is closely linked to poverty, poor living conditions, and limited access to healthcare, making inclusive, community-centred strategies critical for reducing infections and improving health outcomes.
“IHVN has expanded TB services nationwide, engaging more than 3,000 private providers offering free TB and HIV counselling, testing, and prevention services, demonstrating the importance of private sector collaboration in fighting infectious diseases.
“Between 2024 and 2025, the institute screened more than two million pregnant women for TB and HIV, protecting mothers and newborns while strengthening early detection and prevention services across health facilities nationwide.
“Innovative tools, including artificial intelligence for hotspot mapping, mobile digital platforms for screening, and integrated diagnostic systems, have been deployed to improve efficiency, strengthen surveillance, and enhance TB service delivery in Nigeria.”
Adetiba emphasised that communities remain central to Nigeria’s TB response, acting as the engine of detection, treatment, and elimination, without which TB cannot be effectively controlled or eradicated.
She said that looking ahead, priorities include service integration, deeper private sector collaboration, investment in local capacity, and maintaining a people-centred approach to ensure TB services remain accessible, effective, and sustainable across the country.
“Nationwide awareness campaigns and community outreaches continue to mark World TB Day, targeting schools, motor parks, and other public spaces, reinforcing education, early detection, and timely treatment to reduce TB prevalence.”
Adetiba expressed optimism that, with sustained collaboration, Nigeria could eliminate TB, reiterating: “Yes, we can end TB, and we will achieve this together through joint action across all levels of society.”
Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, highlighted the growing role of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the private sector in mobilising domestic TB resources nationwide.
Ogbuji-Ladipo said the First Lady has demonstrated leadership as a TB champion, contributing about N2 billion, which has been deployed across the country to improve access to critical TB services.
She noted that state First Ladies have served as champions in their respective states, driving advocacy, community mobilisation, and domestic resource allocation to strengthen TB control at sub-national levels.
She, however, warned that despite private contributions, more than 90 per cent of TB funding still comes from external sources, emphasising the urgent need for increased domestic financing to sustain long-term TB control efforts in Nigeria.
Ogbuji-Ladipo stressed that strong policies, leadership, and coordinated action are essential to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
She commended ongoing efforts by government agencies to drive coordination, align stakeholders, and strengthen collaboration between private sector actors and civil society organisations for a more efficient, unified national TB response.
According to her, sustained collaboration, combined with increased domestic funding, will be key to achieving Nigeria’s goal of ending TB, ensuring better health outcomes and improved quality of life for all citizens.
“With continued leadership, coordinated effort, and active community participation, we can strengthen the TB response and achieve lasting results, demonstrating that no Nigerian will be left behind in the fight against tuberculosis,” she said.
