The National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) has said Nigeria is making significant strides in the detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

Acting National Coordinator of NTBLCP, Adesigbin Olufemi, disclosed this while speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, ahead of World TB Day 2026.

World TB Day is commemorated annually on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to accelerate efforts to end the global epidemic.

Mr Olufemi noted that diagnosing TB patients had long been a major challenge in the country, adding that Nigeria was, however, making significant strides in its detection and treatment.

He said this was through the adoption of innovative digital tools and strengthened community-level interventions.

He stated, “Diagnosing people is very difficult, and finding large numbers of undiagnosed cases is even harder. But today, with advanced diagnostic tools and digital platforms, we can identify more patients efficiently.”

According to him, Nigeria has achieved around 30 per cent of its national TB detection targets, an improvement from previous years when only about 20–25 per cent of cases were identified.

He stated that digital platforms and dedicated websites had been deployed to support healthcare providers in diagnosing and tracking TB cases across the country.

He highlighted the critical role of point-of-care services and community engagement, noting that bringing services closer to where people lived had positioned Nigeria as a leading country in implementing real-time TB care.

He said the agency, in collaboration with regulatory authorities such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), had strengthened drug surveillance and ensured access to quality medicines.

“Drug resistance develops when patients fail to complete treatment or cannot access the right medication.

“We are closing that gap with data-driven tracking and broader availability of TB drugs,” he said.

He noted that in 2025, 489,000 TB cases were diagnosed and placed on treatment, adding that children under five remained a priority, with over 100,000 screened.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s success relied on government leadership, community involvement, and technological innovation.

“If we continue to optimise these tools and scale services nationwide, Nigeria will significantly reduce TB incidence and improve treatment outcomes,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria was preparing to conduct a new national TB prevalence survey, the first comprehensive study in nearly two decades.

According to him, it will provide updated data and guide future interventions.

”The prevalence survey, scheduled for mid-2026, will also include a drug resistance component providing vital insights into patterns of TB drug resistance nationwide.

“Such surveys are considered the international standard for evidence-based planning, ensuring that strategies are aligned with realities on the ground,” he said.

Similarly, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership, Mayowa Joel, stated that Nigeria’s fight against TB was receiving growing support from private sector and civil society partners.

“Many of these partners have shown positive interest. While not all may contribute financially, they are leveraging the comparative strengths of their organisations to support health initiatives, including TB, for communities and students,” Mr Joel said.

He added that the partnerships aim to enhance service delivery, raise awareness, and strengthen TB advocacy nationwide, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to ending the disease through coordinated action with civil society and private sector actors.

He said that with improved diagnostics, expanded access to medicines, digital tracking, and strengthened partnerships, Nigeria was taking critical steps toward ending TB and ensuring timely care for patients.
(NAN)