FG allocates N700bn to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, others

By Clement Adeyi, Abuja

The Federal Government (FG) has allocated N700bn to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The Chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Dr Amobi Ogah, disclosed this on Tuesday during the 2025 Pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja.

The allocation followed the US administration’s withdrawal of financial support to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria in Nigeria.

World TB Day is commemorated on March 24th annually to raise awareness on TB, and to engender political commitment to resources and healthcare financing for TB towards elimination.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is: “Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver.”

Nigeria is among the 30 high-burden countries for TB, HIV-associated TB

TB is an airborne disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that affects mostly the lungs. It is a leading cause of death in Nigeria.

The disease ranks the sixth highest burden country across the world, and first in Africa.

The 2024 World Health Organisation Global TB report revealed that Nigeria is among the 30 high-burden countries for TB, HIV-associated TB, and drug-resistant TB.

It recorded approximately 467,000 TB cases in 2023.

Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver

“I must commend the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu for injecting the whopping sum of N700bn for the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and immunisation. This was made possible with the help of our minister who is so dear to this country who believes that we can achieve it,” Ogah said.

“The House Committee on HIV, AIDS, TB, and Malaria Control will continue to provide legislative mechanisms and interventions to support the fight against TB in Nigeria,” he added.

According to him, the committee had called on the government to advocate the Global Fund for an increase in the global TB funding allocation from 18 per cent to 30 per cent.

We have also concluded plans to pass a law that will protect persons affected by TB from discrimination

“We have also concluded plans to pass a law that will protect persons affected by TB from discrimination and stigmatisation. We will also ensure robust oversight of all MDAs and key stakeholders, in accordance with the responsibilities of implementing programmes aimed at combating HIV, AIDS, TB and malaria control in our dear country.

“The committee on HIV will ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of these funds to ensure that funds made for interventions and programmes are judiciously spent and not mismanaged. I want to assure you that we in the committee will continue to champion increase on domestic funding, that is the key,” he noted.

we are closer than ever to eliminating TB

The Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, said despite advancements in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention, the disease persisted, particularly affecting the vulnerable and underserved populations.

She, however, expressed hope for the country to eliminate TB.

“With the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates alongside innovations such as shorter treatment regimens and digital adherence technologies, we are closer than ever to eliminating TB,” she added.

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