The Federal Government has earmarked about N73.4 billion for the procurement of tuberculosis (TB) drugs and other commodities to avert stockouts of TB medications in the country.

This was as the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged increased domestic funding and stronger community engagement to sustain progress in the fight against TB in Nigeria.

Also, the government is expanding the national rollout of TB near-point-of-care technology, Pluslife Mini Dock diagnostic equipment, across the country to bring molecular-grade testing to the most remote communities and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind due to geography.

Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Charles Nzelu, who disclosed this yesterday at a Pre-World TB Day briefing in Abuja, noted that following the announcement of funding withdrawal, last year, by major global funders for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), which significantly impacted on ATM management across the globe, Nigeria announced the provision of $200 million, state-wide money, to plug the lacuna created by the United States (U.S.) government funding cut.

Nzelu, who noted that the government was taking proactive steps to ensure no stock out of TB drugs and commodities in the country, explained that there were some medications the global fund was not procuring for the country, adding that going by projections, “the government is already forecasting that, in some months’ time, we will begin to run out of stock of some of these drugs.”

The Board Chairman, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, stated that “TB remains one of the leading infectious diseases globally,” which Nigeria continues to bear a significant share.

Nigeria had the highest burden of TB in Africa, and sixth in the world.

According to Adesigbin, Nigeria records over 500,000 TB cases yearly, driven mostly by socio-economic factors.

He said: “Wherever you see poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding and joblessness, you will see TB.”

CLUSTER Lead for Disease Prevention and Control, WHO Nigeria, Dr Mya Ngon, at a briefing in Abuja, yesterday, ahead of the 2026 World TB Day, said while progress had been made, significant gaps remained, particularly in reaching underserved populations most vulnerable to TB infection and poor treatment outcomes.

Highlighting the 2026 theme, ‘Yes, We Can End TB! Led by Countries and Powered by People’, she said, ending TB was achievable with sustained investment, accountability and collective action.

“We must stand together with millions affected by TB and remember those who have lost their lives. Ending TB is possible with strong leadership and active community involvement,” she said.

Emphasising that TB was not only a health issue but also a socio-economic concern, with financial burdens on patients and households hindering timely diagnosis and treatment, Ngon called for financial risk protection measures and stronger domestic resource mobilisation.

She noted that Nigeria could not rely solely on external funding as support from the Global Fund (GF) might decline in future cycles.

“Nigeria is already preparing proposals for the next funding round while strengthening internal financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable TB programmes,” she said.

She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to providing technical guidance, policy development, and global best practices to support Nigeria’s TB response and improved patient outcomes.