These Are Not Numbers”: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Affirms Nigeria’s 2030 Goal to End Tuberculosis
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to ending Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, emphasizing a strategic shift towards self-reliance and community-led action.
Speaking as the special guest of honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila, Philippines, Mrs. Tinubu, who serves as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, addressed over 180 participants from 47 countries about Nigeria’s strategy.
The Human Cost of an Airborne Threat
The First Lady was stark in her reminder of the disease’s toll, labeling TB as the “biggest infectious killer disease” and a threat to all.
She drove home the human tragedy behind the statistics:
“It claims close to 1.3 million lives each year. In Nigeria, we remain among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing TB in 2023 and more than 150,000 deaths recorded.
These are not numbers, they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion.”
A New Focus: “Country Ownership” Over Donor Reliance
A key theme of the First Lady’s address was Nigeria’s commitment to “country ownership,” strengthening its own systems to reduce reliance on external donor funding.
She explained that the long-term sustainability of the fight against TB “cannot depend solely on external assistance but from within the nation through leadership, community engagement and strategic national coordination.”
Mrs. Tinubu pointed to Nigeria’s resilience as proof of this strategy’s effectiveness, noting that “despite the temporary shifts in support from some financing partners, Nigeria’s efforts… have remained strong.”
“This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and to the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty,” she added.
Global Partners Support National Action
Leaders at the summit echoed the First Lady’s sentiments. The Stop TB Partnership Board Chair, Teodoro Herbosa, highlighted that TB is “more than a health concern but a development challenge for many nations.”
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, the Executive-Director of the Stop TB Partnership, emphasized that integrating data systems with national governments is “vital to ending TB by 2030.”
The First Lady concluded by commending Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, led by the Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate (who was also in attendance), for their “dedication and transparency” in using mobilised funds to expand access to testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
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