Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has raised concerns about the country’s ranking as the 6th highest globally and the leading nation in Africa for tuberculosis (TB) cases. 

Speaking at the 2024 National TB Conference in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu cited the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, which revealed that an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB globally in 2023, with 1.6 million fatalities. Vulnerable groups, including children and young adolescents, accounted for 12% of the global TB burden.

While acknowledging the alarming statistics, Mrs. Tinubu commended ongoing efforts to combat TB. She attributed the progress made to the collective initiatives of the Tinubu administration, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and international partners.

WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, lauded Nigeria’s success in reducing TB-related deaths by over 50% between 2015 and 2023, as outlined in the 2024 report. He praised the establishment of a TB matching fund with the private sector, describing it as “a demonstration of innovative thinking and a shared commitment to accessible TB care.”

Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, highlighted a 24% decline in TB incidence rates during the same period but emphasized the need to address persistent challenges.