Nigeria recorded 440,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases in the year 2025, but health authorities have indicated that thousands of cases remain unidentified, presenting ongoing public health challenges.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, made these remarks during a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 World TB Day. The event also marked the introduction of the Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB), aimed at enhancing coordination across various government sectors and tracking commitments.
Mr. Salako reported a substantial increase in TB case notifications, which escalated from 138,591 in 2020 to 440,000 in 2025.
He credited this increase to a significant expansion in diagnostic capabilities, particularly with the GeneXpert network growing from 32 machines in 2012 to 527 machines by 2026, alongside a rise in TB-TrueNAT capacity from 39 units in 2013 to 372 units.
Despite the rise in notifications, he expressed concern that many cases are still overlooked. He emphasized that while diagnostic capacity has improved, undetected infections remain a critical worry.
“The expansion of access to diagnostic services and treatment is essential, but we need to ensure sustained domestic financing and innovative approaches to engage these missed populations,” he stated.
Treatment success rates are currently at 94%, showcasing the commitment of healthcare professionals and the effectiveness of TB medications. However, the Minister underscored the continued issue of untreated cases.
He explained that ongoing achievements depend on strong funding strategies and accountability from all sectors involved in combating TB. The federal government is dedicated to collaborating with state and local authorities to co-finance health initiatives targeting TB, HIV, and malaria.
Mr. Salako further described how the MAF-TB will enable real-time monitoring of commitments, ensuring that all stakeholders, including governmental bodies and community leaders, work synchronously to achieve desired health outcomes.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, added that maintaining the progress made in tackling TB necessitates effective domestic funding and careful procurement strategies.
He acknowledged the persistent challenges in acquiring TB supplies and avoiding stock shortages. He also mentioned that the government is pursuing a comprehensive, coordinated approach uniting all parties to enhance productivity and effectiveness in health interventions.
Charles Nzelu, the Director of Public Health at the ministry, highlighted TB as a leading cause of mortality among individuals living with HIV, underlining the need for stronger integration of HIV and TB services to improve overall health outcomes.
He regarded the MAF-TB framework as a pivotal development for enhancing multi- sectoral collaboration and ensuring accountability.
“Today's ceremony emphasizes three main pillars for our national response: innovation in preventive technology, integration of TB and HIV services, and accountability through effective monitoring systems,” he stated.
Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Chair of the Stop TB Partnership, stressed the necessity of community involvement and robust government leadership in the battle against TB. She affirmed that achievement is possible when countries take proactive ownership and empower local communities.
She urged the government to turn commitments into actionable results and secure consistent domestic funding, especially as global health financing diminishes.
“We are committed to advocacy, partnerships, and mobilizing local resources. Today, driven by government efforts and supported by communities, we can triumph over TB in Nigeria,” she concluded.
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