FG confirms 400,000 tuberculosis cases in 2024 — highest-ever in Nigeria

The federal ministry of health says Nigeria recorded over 400,000 cases of tuberculosis in 2024.

Godwin Ntadom, director of public health at the ministry of health, spoke on Tuesday at a pre-World Tuberculosis (TB) Day press briefing in Abuja.

World TB Day (WTD) is commemorated annually on March 24, to raise awareness about TB and its impact. This year’s theme is ‘Yes! We can end TB — Commit. Invest. Deliver’.

Ntadom said the country’s efforts have resulted in a significant increase in TB treatment coverage, reaching about 79 percent.

“The country had it’s highest-ever TB notification of more than 400,000 TB cases identified in 2024 out of the estimated 506,000 Nigerians with TB. This translated to about 79% treatment coverage and deserves commendation,” he said.

“Similarly, we have made good progress in TB notification among children, increasing from just 8,293 in 2018 to about 43,000 children treated with TB in 2024.”

He said the achievement was made possible through the “meticulous” implementation of World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended strategies by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) in collaboration with its partners.

Ntadom said despite achievements, there is still a significant number of missing TB cases that constitute a reservoir for ongoing transmission of TB in communities.

“It will interest you to know that one untreated TB patient is capable of infecting 15 other persons in a year. A more worrisome trend is the suboptimal enrollment of diagnosed DR-TB patients on treatment in the last five years,” he said.

“In line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative – the strategic blueprint for the health sector – and the TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2021 – 2026, we have intensified efforts to further strengthen TB screening, diagnosis, treatment and preventive services across the country.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, remains committed to achieving the global End TB targets set by the WHO.”

He said the government’s priorities include expanding TB screening, diagnostic, and treatment services in both public and private health facilities, in line with the universal health coverage agenda.

The director said this will be achieved by strengthening community engagement, working closely with traditional and religious leaders, as well as community-based organizations, to scale up community TB screening, increase awareness, and reduce stigma associated with TB.

He said the government also plans to integrate TB services into reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition services.