Every year since March 24, 1982, the world has commemorated World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of TB, while renewing global commitment to end the epidemic.
This year’s commemoration carries particular weight. It marks 44 years since World TB Day was first observed, and 144 years since Dr Robert Koch’s groundbreaking discovery of the bacterium that causes the disease. His work had opened the door to diagnosis and treatment, even though more than a century later, TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, TB continues to be a major global health crisis, ranking as the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. It is also the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
In Nigeria, the statistics are deeply troubling. The country bears the highest TB burden in Africa and ranks sixth globally, with an estimated 467,000 people living with active infections. The Knowledge Network for Disease Control and Vigilance (KNCV Nigeria) estimates that about 15 Nigerians die every hour from TB, roughly 347 deaths daily and 125,000 annually. More recent figures show that Nigeria recorded 440,000 TB cases in 2025, with health practitioners estimating that thousands more are undiagnosed. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent lives cut short, families devastated, and a weak health system.
The persistence of TB in Nigeria cannot be separated from other social factors such as poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Ending the disease, therefore, requires more than medical intervention; it demands a comprehensive social response. No doubt, Nigeria has recorded commendable strides as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), has provided free TB testing and treatment nationwide. Yet, challenges remain in the form of low diagnosis and tedious access to treatment. To shed off this burden or at least reduce the spread of TB to its barest minimum, Nigeria must urgently align and remain committed to this year’s campaign theme: “Yes! We Can End TB.” The slogan calls for action to expand diagnosis, improve treatment access, and strengthen community engagement.
To do this, more investments in diagnostics and treatment infrastructure remain critical. We recommend expanding testing and decentralising treatment centres. TB care must move beyond general hospitals into Primary Health Care Centres, especially in rural communities. Where possible, mobile testing units and periodic community health outreach programmes can bridge the gap for those living far from diagnostic centres. This means ensuring that rural dwellers, the urban poor, and marginalised groups have the same access to care as those in cities, if we intend to meet the global target of ending TB by 2030.
But diagnosis and treatment alone are not enough. Patients need counselling and strong support systems to ensure they complete treatment. Too often, individuals abandon treatment midway, either due to stigma, lack of awareness, or logistical challenges. Establishing counselling units within healthcare centres can provide the encouragement and guidance patients need to stay the course.
Beyond support from health facilities, civil society organisations, community leaders, and worship centres have a vital role to play. For instance, religious institutions command immense influence and should, therefore, encourage their congregations to undergo testing and adhere to the full six-month treatment regimen. This is not only about saving individual lives but also about protecting entire communities from the spread of the infection.
Another vital recommendation is that the federal government must begin to collaborate with state and local governments to co-finance diagnosis and treatment while reducing reliance on foreign aid. This is a more sustainable approach. Sustainability also demands that, as a country, we begin to invest in medical research and innovation. Local solutions, including vaccine development and preventive medicine, should be encouraged alongside curative treatments.
Alongside these efforts, the need for increased public enlightenment campaigns remains vital. Many Nigerians still ignore or fail to recognise symptoms until it is too late. Therefore, we call for a sustained national campaign that will leverage radio, television, social media, and community outreach to reduce stigma and encourage early testing. Schools, workplaces, religious institutions and media establishments should be enlisted as partners in spreading awareness on this deadly disease.
The fight against TB is no doubt a global battle, but Nigeria’s role is central given its high burden. While we urge for increased support and partnership with donor agencies, research institutions and other international organisations, ultimately, the responsibility lies with the Nigerian government to mobilise its own resources, galvanise its communities, and sustain the will. Ending TB is definitely possible, but it requires commitment, investment, and collective action.