The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) following the recording of 11 suspected cases of Buruli ulcer in the state.
Dr Murtala Muhammad-Bagana, the Commissioner for Health, disclosed this during a press conference held on Friday in Minna to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
The Niger State Ministry of Health organized the event in collaboration with Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH), with the theme: “Let’s Unite and Act to Eliminate NTDs.”
Bagana said the state had taken immediate steps to respond to the suspected Buruli ulcer cases reported in some wards of Munya Local Government Area.
According to him, preliminary findings indicated that the suspected cases were not recent, as the affected individuals had been living with the condition for some time and had sought treatment unsuccessfully before reporting to the authorities.
He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) had already pre-positioned drugs for treatment, while laboratory analysis of collected samples was ongoing to confirm the diagnosis.
Despite the development, the commissioner said the state remained resolute in achieving the 2030 NTD elimination target through sustained interventions, strong partnerships and active community participation.
He explained that World NTDs Day, observed globally on January 30, served as an important platform to raise awareness about diseases that disproportionately affect poor and underserved populations.
Bagana described NTDs as parasitic and bacterial infections closely linked to poverty, poor sanitation, unsafe water and weak health infrastructure, adding that they perpetuate cycles of poverty and social exclusion.
He announced that Guinea Worm Disease had been successfully eliminated in Niger State and across Nigeria, describing the achievement as evidence that NTD elimination was attainable with strong political will, sustained investment and effective partnerships.
The commissioner said the state had fully aligned with the WHO roadmap for NTD control and elimination, particularly through preventive chemotherapy, disease mapping and consistent annual Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM).
According to him, trachoma prevalence has declined significantly from 11.8 per cent to 0.2 per cent in Kontagora and Rafi Local Government Areas, while 16 of the 21 LGAs endemic for onchocerciasis have passed epidemiological evaluations.
He added that 18 of the 19 LGAs endemic for lymphatic filariasis had passed pre-transmission assessment surveys, while 10 LGAs successfully passed transmission assessment surveys by the end of 2025.
Bagana further disclosed that the state recorded 100 per cent geographical coverage for all targeted NTD elimination interventions between 2019 and 2025, with surveillance activities remaining robust.
He said the state had also strengthened the integration of NTD and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in six LGAs—Bosso, Gurara, Agaie, Lavun, Gbako and Paikoro—alongside the training of volunteer hygiene promoters and frontline health workers.
The commissioner commended Governor Umaru Bago for his unwavering support for the health sector, noting that the New Niger Agenda prioritised equitable, affordable and accessible healthcare.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Idris, said the commemoration was aimed at raising awareness and educating communities on the prevention and control of NTDs.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of MITOSATH, Dr Francisca Dlamiju, commended the state government and its partners for sustained collaboration, stressing the need for continuous public awareness as Niger State edges closer to eliminating NTDs.
Also speaking, the WHO State Coordinator, Aliyu Suleiman, said 16 NTDs were endemic in Nigeria, five of which were treatable with drugs, while others required hospital-based care.
He noted that Niger State was making remarkable progress despite challenges, adding that although NTDs had low mortality rates, they were associated with high morbidity. He confirmed that 11 suspected cases of Buruli ulcer were recorded in Munya Local Government Area.
