According to the UN agency, the country’s response demonstrates how sustained political commitment, combined with international support, can significantly close detection gaps and improve health outcomes. However, it cautioned that continued investment and coordinated action remain critical to eliminating TB as a public health threat.
Rising Case Detection Signals Progress
Nigeria has recorded a sharp increase in TB case notifications over recent years, reflecting improved outreach and diagnostic capacity. Reported cases rose from 106,533 in 2018 to 458,534 in 2025—meaning more than 80% of estimated infections are now being detected.
Despite these gains, the disease burden remains substantial. The latest global estimates indicate that Nigeria records about 510,000 new TB cases annually, including 61,000 among children. In 2025 alone, children accounted for 10% of reported infections, highlighting persistent gaps in paediatric detection.
Globally, TB continues to be a major health threat, with around 1.23 million deaths recorded in 2024, even though decades of intervention have saved an estimated 83 million lives since 2000.
Human Impact Underscores Importance of Early Testing
The impact of expanded services is evident in individual cases. In Nasarawa State, a 21-year-old woman—identified as Gwamkat Rifkatu—was diagnosed after hearing a radio message encouraging people with prolonged coughs to seek testing.
Using the GeneXpert diagnostic tool, scaled up nationwide with WHO support, health workers confirmed TB within hours and immediately began treatment. Follow-up care included screening household members and providing preventive therapy. Months later, she recovered fully and returned to work.
Her experience reflects broader improvements in awareness campaigns, early diagnosis, and access to treatment across the country.
Strengthening Systems and Community Outreach
Nigeria’s TB response is led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, in collaboration with partners including the Global Fund.
Community-based interventions—such as hotspot mapping, mobile screening, and targeted awareness campaigns—are helping reach underserved populations, particularly women and children who were previously underdiagnosed.
Healthcare workers report increased patient turnout due to improved availability of testing kits and medicines, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Persistent Challenges Remain
Despite progress, significant gaps remain. An estimated 63,000 TB cases go undetected each year, allowing continued transmission. Other challenges include multidrug-resistant TB, TB-HIV co-infection, stigma, and limited access to healthcare in remote areas.
The financial burden is also severe, with about 71% of affected households facing catastrophic costs due to lost income and out-of-pocket expenses.
Declining external funding further raises concerns about sustainability, prompting calls for increased domestic investment to maintain and expand services.
Path Toward Elimination
Efforts are now focused on scaling up innovation and strengthening long-term planning. WHO is supporting Nigeria in adopting faster diagnostic tools, simplified testing methods, and improved service delivery at the community level.
Work is also underway to develop the country’s National TB Strategic Plan for 2027–2031, aligning local efforts with global best practices.
Marking World TB Day 2026, health authorities emphasized the importance of collective action under the theme “Yes, we can end TB.”
Experts stress that ending TB will require a multi-sectoral approach—extending beyond healthcare to include social protection, housing, education, and labour policies—while maintaining strong accountability systems.
Health officials continue to urge the public to seek medical attention early, particularly for symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, as early detection remains one of the most effective tools in breaking the chain of transmission.