According to the UN heath agency, Nigeria’s experience shows that progress is possible when government leadership is reinforced by WHO technical support.

Sustained commitment, investment and collective action remain essential to detect every case, complete treatment and end tuberculosis as a public health threat, it said.

WHO, in a statement, stated that the impact of the support to Nigeria has been visible in some states and cases supported, citing a case of 21‑year‑old Gwamkat Rifkatu (name changed) in Nasarawa State.

According to WHO, Rifkatu developed a persistent cough that her family initially dismissed as minor and weeks passed without improvement, leaving her weak and unable to work.

During a visit to a friend, she heard a radio jingle part of a WHO‑supported awareness campaign urging anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks to seek testing. The next morning, she went to the nearest primary health centre.

Her sputum sample was tested using GeneXpert, a rapid testing tool that has been scaled up nationwide with WHO technical guidance and partner support.

Within two hours, she was diagnosed with TB and immediately started treatment under Nigeria’s national programme.

Health workers, trained through WHO‑supported initiatives, screened her household and provided preventive therapy to those at risk. Months later, Gwamkat recovered and returned to work.

Her experience reflected broader progress.

Across Nigeria, more people are now being reached with testing and treatment, contributing to increased case detection, including among women and children who are often missed.

TB is preventable and treatable, yet it continues to cause significant illness and death globally. In 2024, an estimated and around 1.23 million died

In Nigeria, the burden remains high.

The 2025 WHO Global TB Report estimated about 2025 WHO Global TB Report estimates about 510,000 new cases annually, including 61 000 children. One untreated TB case can infect 12–15 people in a year.

In 2025, a total of 458, 534 TB cases were reported, reflecting improved case detection nationwide. Of these, 57 per cent (262 058) were male and 43 per cent (196 476) were female.

Children aged 0–14 years accounted for 10 per cent (46 952) of all notified TB cases.

Among these childhood cases, 56 per cent (26 173) were male and 44 per cent (20 779) were female, underscoring the need to strengthen paediatric TB detection and services.

Encouragingly, global efforts have saved an estimated 83 million lives since 2000.

The UN health agency stated that Nigeria’s response is led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), with support from WHO, the Global Fund and partners.

Case detection has improved significantly. In 2018, 106 533 TB cases were reported. By 2025, notifications rose to 458 534, with more than 80 per cent of estimated cases detected

At a pre‑World TB Day briefing, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding diagnostic access, strengthening domestic financing and scaling up community‑based interventions.

Community screening, hotspot mapping and awareness campaigns supported by WHO are central to these gains and are helping to reach underserved populations, including women and children.

Margaret Ogbole, a health worker at a TB Directly Observed Therapy clinic in Nasarawa State, said, “We are seeing more patients, including women and children who previously did not come forward. With steady supplies of testing kits and medicines, we can diagnose early and start treatment quickly.”

Notwithstanding the notprogress, about 63 000 TB cases remain undetected annually, sustaining transmission. Multi‑drug‑resistant TB (MDR‑TB), TB‑HIV co‑infection, stigma and limited access to testing in underserved areas remain major challenges.

The economic burden is also significant. About 71 per cent of TB patients and their households face catastrophic costs, driven by lost income and out‑of‑pocket spending

With declining external funding, increased domestic investment is essential to sustain progress and ensure uninterrupted access to TB services.

Ending TB will require coordinated action beyond health, including social protection, housing, labour and education, supported by strong accountability mechanisms.

It further stated that WHO is supporting Nigeria to adopt innovations that bring services closer to communities. Newly recommended simplified sampling methods and faster testing are improving access

WHO is also supporting the Federal Government to develop guidelines to accelerate rollout of these tools, while strengthening frontline health worker capacity under Global Fund support.

In addition, WHO is supporting the development of Nigeria’s National TB Strategic Plan (2027–2031) to align with global best practices.

Globally, WHO and partners are advancing TB vaccine development through the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, focusing on populations most affected.

Nigeria marked 2026 World TB Day under the theme “Yes, we can end TB: led by the Federal Ministry of Health and powered by communities.”

The Cluster Lead, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) in Nigeria, Dr Mya Ngon, said, “Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, yet it continues to claim lives due to delayed testing and gaps in access to care.

“We must accelerate efforts to find missing cases, expand innovations and ensure equitable access to services.”

Frontline health workers, communities and partners remain central to progress. Anyone with a cough lasting two weeks or more should seek testing promptly.

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The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, spoke at the #BeWildForNature Youth Network event organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to mark 2026 World Wildlife Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event themed, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” focused on the role of young people in promoting conservation awareness and sustainable use of medicinal plants.

Adeyeye was represented by Mrs Chizoba Maduagwuna, Deputy Director of the International Strategic Partnership and Trade Office at NAFDAC.

She said that NAFDAC’s mandate includes regulating food, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, packaged water, medical devices, and herbal medicines, ensuring all meet strict safety and quality standards.

Adeyeye highlighted the historical significance of medicinal plants as sources of healing, wellness, and cultural identity, emphasising their continued relevance in addressing modern health challenges and driving public health solutions.

With rising global demand for herbal medicines and natural wellness products, Adeyeye described medicinal plants as strategic national assets capable of supporting local industries and strengthening Nigeria’s bio-economy.

She said NAFDAC ensured all plant-based products, whether raw or processed, such as phytomedicines, essential oils, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics, met stringent safety, quality, and efficacy standards.

She also underscored the economic potential of medicinal plants, noting they could create sustainable livelihoods, particularly in rural communities, while empowering women and youth and boosting local economies.

“Key areas of intervention include responsible cultivation, biodiversity protection, standardisation across the herbal value chain, research, innovation, and collaboration with academia, industry, and research institutions.”

Adeyeye cited initiatives like the Nigerian Herbal Medicinal Products Committee, the Nigerian Essential Medicinal Plant List, and the Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia as critical tools in regulating and promoting safe plant-based products.

She emphasised the importance of public awareness on the safe use of herbal products and regulatory support for ethical, evidence-based commercialisation to maximise benefits while safeguarding health.

The NAFDAC D-G warned that Nigeria’s biodiversity was a valuable national resource that must be protected through sustainable practices and strong regulatory systems to preserve cultural heritage and sustain livelihoods.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to regulating, promoting research, and ensuring safe use of plant-based products for food, medicine, cosmetics, and industrial purposes.

“Our goal is to transform biodiversity into safe, regulated products and economic resources while safeguarding public health,” Adeyeye added.

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Administered twice yearly to HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk, the innovation is being positioned as a critical tool in accelerating Nigeria’s goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Globally, HIV remains a major public health challenge, with about 1.3 million new infections recorded annually, even as treatment and prevention efforts have improved outcomes.

In Nigeria, the burden remains considerable, with approximately 48,000 new infections each year.

These figures highlight persistent gaps in prevention among key and vulnerable populations and underscore the urgency for more effective and accessible options.

Nigeria has made notable progress in recent years.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said 93 per cent of people living with HIV now know their status, 99 per cent of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

He added that Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission coverage had risen from 33 per cent in 2023 to nearly 70 per cent in 2025.

Yet, experts say the rate of new infections remains too high, making prevention the next critical frontier in Nigeria’s HIV response.

Lenacapavir, a long-acting antiretroviral drug used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and recommended by the World Health Organisation in July 2025, now represents fresh hope in this effort.

Unlike daily oral PrEP, the drug is administered once every six months, offering a more convenient and adherence-friendly option.

Clinical trials show that Lenacapavir can prevent nearly all cases of HIV among people at risk, making it one of the most effective prevention tools currently available.

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, described the drug as the most significant development in HIV prevention in decades.

He noted that HIV, once considered a death sentence, has become a manageable condition, with AIDS-related deaths declining by about 70 per cent globally over the past 20 years, while stressing that prevention remains essential to ending the epidemic.

Nigeria’s adoption of Lenacapavir as one of nine early adopter countries marks a major milestone in its HIV response.

An initial 52,000 doses have been provided by the Global Fund to catalyse the drug’s introduction.

The Senior Fund Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund, Mr Jean-Thomas Nouboussi, disclosed that Nigeria would receive a total of 179,700 doses by 2028.

He described Lenacapavir as a breakthrough in HIV prevention, addressing adherence challenges associated with daily oral PrEP.

He added that the Global Fund aims to reach two million people globally with the drug by 2028, noting that its support to Nigeria is catalytic.

“We expect the government will step in and accelerate deployment across the country,” he said.

Implementation has commenced in eight pilot states of Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the FCT; with a phased national scale-up planned thereafter.

Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said the innovation would enhance adherence and compliance among high-risk populations.

She noted that the drug was not recommended for pregnant women and should be used within a broader combination prevention approach.

“This is a very innovative prevention method that will enhance adherence and compliance. It does not prevent sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies,” she said.

According to Ilori, the introduction reflects strong national coordination and commitment to epidemic control, and expanding prevention options is critical to closing gaps and reaching populations most at risk.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also underscored the importance of sustaining prevention gains through innovative tools and continued collaboration.

The Country Director, Ms Tina Bonto, said funding constraints and prevention gaps still pose risks to achieving epidemic control.

She noted that Nigeria’s early adoption reflects its leadership in HIV prevention, having pioneered oral PrEP in 2016 and continuously expanded prevention options through strong partnerships.

“There are still about 48,000 new infections yearly, so more effort is needed to close prevention gaps,” she said, expressing optimism that Lenacapavir would accelerate progress toward epidemic control.

Public health experts say one of the biggest challenges in HIV prevention has been poor adherence to daily medication.

For many at-risk individuals; including sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and adolescent girls, daily pills are difficult to maintain consistently.

Stigma, discrimination, and social barriers often discourage sustained use of oral PrEP.

Lenacapavir addresses this gap by requiring only two injections a year, reducing the burden of daily compliance.

Its discreet nature also makes it more acceptable for individuals who may avoid HIV services due to stigma.

Josephine Aseme, Chairperson of the Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network, described the drug as a major breakthrough for vulnerable communities.

“I was once an oral PrEP user, but I had to stop. I have volunteered to be among the first to receive Lenacapavir,” she said, adding that the injectable option would improve adherence and pledged community support to drive awareness and uptake.

Civil society groups have called for broader availability beyond narrowly defined populations to ensure no one at risk is left behind.

Dr Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria urged the government to prioritise accessibility and domestic investment.

“We should make this available and accessible so that we can prevent new infections across communities,” he said.

Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme, said the rollout was guided by national data and stakeholder collaboration.

He noted that no major adverse events had been recorded, with only mild injection-site pain observed as a common side effect.

He added that the programme prioritised equity and access, with the government initially leading implementation before expanding engagement with the private sector.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the government remains committed to ending HIV through a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach.

“This involves leveraging innovation, improving efficiency, and strengthening domestic financing to sustain progress in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria control”.

He revealed that the federal government, with contributions from states and local authorities, has committed 346 million dollars in co-financing for HIV, TB, malaria, and other strategic health investments in 2026.

“By 2030, Nigeria should be able to put its own domestic resources toward priority diseases instead of relying on external grants,” he said.

Beyond health outcomes, the introduction of Lenacapavir carries economic implications.

By preventing new infections, Nigeria could reduce long-term treatment costs and ease pressure on the health system.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom, said the innovation aligns with national efforts to expand prevention options and improve access.

She noted that a National PrEP Implementation Plan (2025–2028) had been developed to guide the rollout, covering service delivery, supply chains, demand creation, and sustainability.

If properly implemented, analysts say Lenacapavir could significantly reduce Nigeria’s approximately 48,000 annual new infections and accelerate progress toward epidemic control.

At the global level, wider adoption of such highly effective prevention tools could also help drive down the 1.3 million new infections recorded worldwide each year.

Existing challenges notwithstanding, stakeholders say Lenacapavir offers renewed hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

With sustained political will, community engagement, and adequate funding, Nigeria may be closer than ever to ending HIV as a public health threat.

For millions at risk, the twice-yearly injection represents not just a medical breakthrough but a pathway to a future free of new HIV infections.

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Tomori spoke during a reflective session on disease control and public health, on Monday in Abuja, at a high-level Nigeria health security dialogue with the People’s Republic of China on pandemic preparedness and response.

He said that Nigeria’s first public health laboratory was established in 1926, nearly a century ago.

He said although the centre was not originally designed for disease control, it laid the foundation for scientific research and epidemic management.

“Disease prevention programmes were formally introduced decades later, in 1980, yet the historical significance of the 1926 centre is often overlooked in contemporary discussions on health security.

“Much of what we consider modern disease control builds on work done by indigenous communities and early public health workers,” he said.

According to him, they created environments that enabled research to thrive, often with personal sacrifices and additional responsibilities.

He said that they also contributed to the understanding of viruses like the Rumba virus, which informed subsequent research on epidemics such as AIDS.

He reflected on the impact of AIDS as an epidemic, noting that early studies provided critical lessons for both prevention and treatment.

“The benefits of early epidemic research are like a cycle, you study, respond, and adapt. That knowledge shapes the way we fight diseases today,” he said.

He also criticised the reactive approach to public health in Nigeria, emphasising that many resources remain underutilised.

“We have trained thousands of technicians, yet only a fraction is fully engaged in disease surveillance and response.

“Over the last 15 years, questions about the remaining personnel have largely gone unasked. This is a missed opportunity for strengthening our health system,” he noted.

Highlighting systemic challenges, Tomori said that epidemics were often managed in isolation, without coordinated national strategies.

“Local problems have historically not been handled with long-term planning. Too often, responses are reactionary, leaving gaps in prevention and community protection,” he said.

He called for a shift towards proactive disease prevention, strategic planning, and investment in local research capacity.

He said that understanding historical public health practices, including successes and missteps, was vital for Nigeria’s future health security.

“By reflecting on our history, acknowledging the work of indigenous researchers, and institutionalising preventive strategies, Nigeria can stabilise its health system and prepare for future epidemics,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as countries strengthen their pandemic preparedness systems, more people gain access to the support needed to protect their health.

But for many, staying consistently prepared is still difficult, weakening the effectiveness and reach of existing systems.

Experts say advancing conversations on pandemic preparedness and response is a critical step toward building stronger health systems.

The High-Level Public Health Symposium was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Institute of Nigeria.

It brought together key stakeholders to share lessons on pandemic preparedness and response from China and Nigeria.

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Salako said this at the Public Health Symposium on “Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Insights from China and Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja,

The minister warned:”the next pandemic is not a matter of if but when,” stressing the importance of coordinated, equitable, and innovative preparedness.

He noted that COVID-19, which claimed over seven million lives worldwide, exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems while demonstrating the value of collaboration and resilience.

He highlighted Nigeria’s progress in strengthening its health security landscape.

These, he said, include the digitalisation of infectious disease surveillance with SORMAS, training of health workers, expanded diagnostic infrastructure with over 100 public health laboratories, and the establishment of infectious disease centers and public health emergency operation centers in all states and the Federal Capital Territory.

These measures, he said that helped improve Nigeria’s technical evaluation score from 39 per cent in 2017 to 54 per cent in 2023.

He also noted China’s rapid and disciplined response to COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of technology integration and community mobilization.

“Mutual learning between Nigeria and China is critical to building resilient systems capable of safeguarding citizens and optimizing global actions against future health emergencies,” he said.

Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, he said that health security is prioritised as the fourth pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

“State-level preparedness is being strengthened through the 7-1-7 target and the SITAware Transition Project, while the One Health approach ensures coordinated attention to human, animal, and environmental health.

“Nigeria is also engaged in WHO pandemic agreement negotiations, reflecting its commitment to multilateral cooperation,” he said

He stressed that pandemic preparedness requires a whole-of-society approach, involving governments, private sector, communities, researchers, and international partners.

He urged stakeholders to focus on actionable policies, partnerships, and innovations to ensure global readiness and equity.

“Let us work together across borders and sectors to ensure full readiness for the next pandemic, leaving no one behind,” he said.

Our correspondent, report that experts at the event said that the visit marks a strategic shift toward a self-reliant, industrialised healthcare system in Nigeria through international partnerships, local production, and strengthened health security.

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The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed this at the inauguration of the National HIV Prevention Plan, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Marwa said the fight against HIV could not be separated from efforts to curb drug abuse, particularly the use of injectable drugs, which he said increases the risk of infection through the sharing of contaminated needles.

According to him, substance abuse also contributes to poor judgment and risky sexual behaviour, further accelerating the spread of HIV.

He raised concerns about correctional facilities, noting that prisons often served as high-risk environments where addiction and limited access to prevention services created cycle of vulnerability and infection.

”For too long, drug control and public health responses have been treated separately. Today, we recognise that they are interconnected and must be addressed together,” he said.

Marwa explained that while the agency remained committed to reducing drug supply, it was also prioritising drug demand and harm reduction strategies as part of a broader public health approach.

He added that NDLEA would collaborate with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and civil society organisations to expand HIV prevention education across communities.

The NDLEA boss further said that the agency would leverage its nationwide platforms to promote awareness among young people, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse was inseparable from the fight against HIV.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the National HIV Prevention Plan, with a focus on protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians.

Brig.-Gen. Idris Solebo, Director-General programme, Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), commended NACA for its leadership and sustained efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s response to HIV and AIDS.

Solebo noted that NACA had played a pivotal role in advancing policies, partnerships, and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing new HIV infections.

He said that over the years, the agency had demonstrated exceptional leadership in expanding access to treatment, care, and support services for persons living with HIV, thereby contributing significantly to Nigeria’s progress in controlling the epidemic.

He also highlighted the strong collaboration between NACA and defence-related health institutions, particularly in ensuring that members of the armed forces, their families, and surrounding communities have access to comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services.

According to him, the partnership has been instrumental in safeguarding the health, operational readiness, and overall well-being of military personnel.

”As we work towards achieving national and global HIV targets, we remain committed to strengthening collaboration with NACA and other stakeholders to build a more resilient, coordinated, and sustainable national HIV response.’’

He reaffirmed the programme’s dedication to improving health outcomes among military personnel and the wider population, while expressing optimism about continued progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), emphasised the crucial role of awareness and community engagement in Nigeria’s HIV response, highlighting that prevention and education were central to sustaining national gains and reaching the last mile of HIV transmission.

Issa-Onilu represented by Dr Olufemi Ayoola, NOA’s Director of Health and Social Care, noted that empowering communities through awareness and education was key to preventing new HIV infections and ensuring the success of Nigeria’s National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030.

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Children aged one to 15 are most affected, while overcrowding and seasonal dry winds increase transmission risks, raising serious public health concerns across northern states within Africa’s meningitis belt.

Dr Jide Idris, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting on Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

He expressed concern that available vaccine strains did not fully match the circulating serogroup C strain, noting that although vaccination remained important, additional strategies were needed to effectively control ongoing outbreaks.

Meningitis remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, especially during the dry season, with northern states most affected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and national surveillance data.

Idris said outbreaks were largely driven by serogroup C, which had replaced serogroup A, while other strains such as W, X and Y, alongside bacterial causes, accounted for fewer reported cases.

He said Nigeria was currently in a high risk period for meningitis outbreaks, typically between December and April, when dry, dusty weather, overcrowding and poor ventilation significantly increased transmission rates.

Idris said the agency had intensified surveillance and response nationwide, with laboratory testing conducted at state level while efforts continued to strengthen national laboratory capacity and improved detection and confirmation of cases.

According to him, meningitis is a serious infection affecting membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, spreading through respiratory droplets during close contact, particularly in crowded or poorly ventilated environments.

He warned the disease could progress rapidly and become fatal within hours if untreated, stressing that early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment significantly improved survival rates and reduced complications.

Idris urged Nigerians to seek immediate medical attention if they experienced symptoms such as sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, or sensitivity to light.

He cautioned that fever and headache during the dry season should not always be assumed to be malaria, advising people to seek proper diagnosis to avoid delayed treatment and possible complications.

He identified high risk groups as children, young adults, and people in overcrowded environments, urging institutions to ensure ventilation and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.

To reduce transmission, he advised avoiding overcrowded spaces, maintaining ventilation, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding sharing utensils, while encouraging participation in vaccination campaigns.

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Speaking during activities marking the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day in Abuja, stakeholders highlighted progress recorded while stressing persistent gaps in awareness, early detection, and equitable access to quality care services nationwide.

Ms Kelechi Nzeadibe of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) said programmes now prioritised community based interventions, deploying trained workers for house to house TB and HIV screening among vulnerable populations including pregnant women.

She explained that outreach campaigns integrated TB and HIV services in slums and local government areas, where residents were sensitised, screened, and referred, with samples collected and transported for free diagnostic testing.

She added that individuals with presumptive TB were promptly linked to care, emphasising that screening, diagnosis, and treatment services were provided at no cost to patients to encourage uptake nationwide.

Dr Eze Chukwu, Impact Project Coordinator, KNCV said strategic communication was key to addressing misinformation and stigma, noting efforts were focused on driving behavioural change through targeted messaging and sustained community engagement initiatives.

He said increased awareness campaigns were improving public knowledge about TB services, encouraging more people to seek testing early, access treatment promptly, and support efforts aimed at reducing transmission nationwide.

Dr Stella Makpu of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Federal Ministry of Health, said public enlightenment remained central to Nigeria’s tuberculosis control efforts nationwide.

She emphasised that many Nigerians still lacked adequate knowledge about TB causes, transmission, prevention, and the importance of early diagnosis for effective treatment and reduced spread.

She said improving awareness would enhance early detection, reduce stigma, and lead to better outcomes, reaffirming government commitment to strengthening TB control through advocacy, improved service delivery, and community engagement nationwide.

“Nigeria recorded an estimated 440,000 TB cases in 2025, with about 150,000 undiagnosed, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the urgent need to expand detection and treatment services nationwide.

“WHO said Africa continues to bear a heavy TB burden, with 378,000 deaths and 2.7 million infections in 2024, accounting for a significant share of global cases despite progress recorded.

“The 2026 theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Countries, Powered by Communities,” underscores the need for stronger national leadership, sustained investment, and active community participation in TB response efforts.”

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Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, made the pledge in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, marking World Tuberculosis Day 2026.

The day, themed “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” is observed annually on March 24.

He said Africa continued to face a heavy tuberculosis burden, with the disease claiming one life every 83 seconds, underscoring the urgent need for intensified interventions across prevention, detection, and treatment systems.

Janabi warned that persistent funding gaps and a high number of undetected cases were threatening progress, in spite of notable gains recorded by countries across the region in recent years through improved diagnosis, treatment, and community engagement.

He noted that in 2024 alone, tuberculosis killed 378,000 people in the WHO African Region and infected 2.7 million others, representing about one quarter of the global TB burden.

In spite of the scale of the crisis, Janabi said there remained an unprecedented opportunity to reverse the trend, stressing that renewed commitment on World Tuberculosis Day could accelerate efforts to eliminate TB as a public health threat.

According to him, sustained progress will depend on strong national leadership, increased domestic and international investment, and empowered communities capable of driving change and ensuring equitable access to tuberculosis prevention and care services.

Janabi highlighted that the African Region had recorded significant gains, including a 46 per cent decline in tuberculosis deaths and a 28 per cent reduction in incidence between 2015 and 2024.

He added that several countries had achieved key global milestones, noting that South Africa met the 2025 target for reducing TB incidence, while Mozambique and Tanzania are making steady progress.

Janabi emphasised that community-led approaches remained critical to ending tuberculosis, calling for sustained investment in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, alongside stronger partnerships that empowered communities to lead response efforts at all levels.

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The pledge followed the second term inauguration of Gov. Charles Soludo, which the association described as endorsement of visionary leadership and people centred governance promoting sustainable development and inclusive healthcare advancement.

In a joint statement on Tuesday in Abuja, ACPN leaders Omokhafe Ashore and Felix Enendu commended the governor’s recognition of pharmacists, recalling his description of them as central to healthcare delivery and system strengthening.

They said the state’s business friendly policies were attracting pharmaceutical investors planning manufacturing facilities and distribution centres in Onitsha, expected to improve medicine access, create jobs, and strengthened the health economy.

The association noted such investments would enhance availability of quality medicines, boost employment opportunities, and contribute to economic growth while reinforcing Anambra’s position as a rising healthcare and pharmaceutical hub.

They said the governor’s renewed mandate reflected public trust, adding that his administration had demonstrated commitment to progressive policies and reforms across healthcare, education, innovation, and technology sectors in the state.

According to them, the administration’s approach aligns with national goals of strengthening healthcare systems and improving equitable access to safe, effective, and quality medicines through sustainable policy implementation across Nigeria.

They highlighted efforts to sanitise the pharmaceutical supply chain through Coordinated Wholesale Centres, noting facilities like the Oba hub support National Drug Distribution Guidelines and reduce circulation of fake medicines.

The ACPN said the initiative would enhance regulatory oversight, improve transparency, and strengthen integrity of drug distribution systems, critical components for effective healthcare delivery and improved patient safety nationwide.

They also commended industrialisation efforts in the health sector, including the Anambra Mixed Use Industrial City and pharmaceutical hub in Ogboji, boosting manufacturing, research, and regional competitiveness in drug production.

According to them, the projects will promote local drug production, encourage research and development, and position Anambra as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub within Nigeria and across West Africa.

They recalled the governor’s advocacy for local drug manufacturing as a pathway to national drug security, self-sufficiency, reduced import dependence, and improved resilience of healthcare and pharmaceutical systems.

The officials noted Soludo’s engagements with industry players like May and Baker Nigeria Plc to encourage investment in indigenous research, innovation, and expansion of pharmaceutical production capacity within Nigeria.

They reaffirmed readiness to collaborate with government to advance reforms, adding that community pharmacists remained committed to supporting policies promoting healthcare transformation, improved access, and sustainable system development in Nigeria.

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