Abuja, Nigeria – With technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria is closing tuberculosis (TB) detection gaps, expanding access to testing and treatment, and strengthening services for vulnerable populations.
A case that shows the impact
In Nasarawa State, 21‑year‑old Gwamkat Rifkatu (name changed) developed a persistent cough that her family initially dismissed as minor. 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 reflects 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 remains a major health challenge
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 estimates 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, r