WHO, others advocate increased domestic funding to end TB in Nigeria

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria have called for increased domestic funding and stronger case detection to curb the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, warning that declining donor support could undermine progress. Speaking at a pre-World TB Day 2026 press conference in Abuja, the WHO Country Representative, Pavel Ursu, […]

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria have called for increased domestic funding and stronger case detection to curb the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, warning that declining donor support could undermine progress.

Speaking at a pre-World TB Day 2026 press conference in Abuja, the WHO Country Representative, Pavel Ursu, represented by Mya Ngon, said Nigeria must take greater ownership of its TB response through sustained local investment.

He noted that while progress has been made in expanding diagnosis and treatment, about 175,000 TB cases remain undetected annually, fuelling transmission, adding that one untreated case can infect up to 15 others yearly.

Also speaking, the Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, emphasised that domestic financing is critical to sustaining TB programmes and ensuring equitable access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

She said the changing global health financing landscape makes it imperative for governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to mobilise local resources and explore innovative funding mechanisms.

Ogbuji-Ladipo noted that although Nigeria has recorded gains through partnerships and community engagement, these achievements could be reversed without adequate funding.

Both speakers stressed that ending TB requires strong leadership from the Federal Ministry of Health, backed by coordinated action across sectors and active community participation.

The Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Charles Nzelu, said the ministry has prioritised TB as a key component of its health agenda under the leadership of the minister, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.

Nzelu said the government was strengthening electronic reporting systems to enable real-time data flow from health facilities to national dashboards, improve supply chain management and prevent stock-outs of essential TB medicines.

The ministry also reiterated that TB diagnosis and treatment are free at government-approved facilities and urged Nigerians with persistent cough lasting two weeks or more to seek medical attention.

World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to end the disease globally.