The Federal Government of Nigeria has significantly scaled up tuberculosis (TB) treatment services nationwide, increasing the number of treatment centres from 12,606 in 2019 to approximately 23,000 in 2024. This expansion now covers about 57% of all health facilities in the country, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate.
Speaking at a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World TB Day, Pate emphasized the government’s renewed commitment to tackling TB—a disease that remains one of Nigeria’s most severe public health threats. Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth globally among the 30 high TB burden countries.
According to the World Health Organization's 2024 Global TB Report, Nigeria accounted for an estimated 467,000 new TB cases in 2023, with only 285,000 cases identified, leaving a detection gap of nearly 40%.
In a related move to address broader health system challenges, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in partnership with The Trinity Challenge and Jhpiego, hosted a high-level workshop in Abuja. The event brought together health experts, researchers, and tech innovators to develop data-driven solutions to tackle issues like poor stock control and the circulation of substandard and falsified antibiotics.
The dual push—expanding TB treatment access and strengthening pharmaceutical quality control—marks a strategic pivot in Nigeria’s effort to enhance public health outcomes and improve disease surveillance nationwide.
Pate said the ministry, through the NTBLCP, and with the support of dedicated partners, had implemented several impactful TB control interventions
He said the ministry aligned its commitment to ensuring good health for all Nigerians, as outlined in SDG 3.
Pate stated, “To advance our Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, we have significantly expanded rapid molecular testing platforms for TB.