Nigeria's TB Deaths Plunge 63% in Decade: Key Wins
Tobiloba OdejinmiBy Tobiloba Odejinmi
Education
May 6, 2026 • 8:43 PM
4m4 min read
Source: Pexels
The Core Insight
Nigeria achieved a 63% drop in TB mortality from 2015-2024 and 94% treatment success, per FCTA's Dr. Dan Gadzama at World TB Day 2026 outreach. Highlights include 467,000 cases detected in 2025 nationally and FCT records of 40,171 screened. Despite high global burden (10.7M cases, 1.23M deaths in 2024), advances in detection and WHO-backed tools drive progress.
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Tobiloba Odejinmi
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Nigeria’s Tuberculosis Deaths Drop by 63% Between 2015 and 2024
World TB Day 2026 community outreach in Abuja (Credit: Abduljalil Attahir via Pexels)
Nigeria has recorded a 63% reduction in tuberculosis (TB) mortality between 2015 and 2024, alongside a 94% treatment success rate, according to Dr. Dan Gadzama, Director of the Public Health Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Gadzama shared these figures during the World TB Day 2026 Community Outreach event in Mabushi Community, Abuja, organized by the FCT Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (FCT-TBLCP) in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, and other partners. Residents received free TB testing, counseling, and treatment.
“Today, we gather not just to commemorate a day, but to reaffirm our collective commitment to ending one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, Tuberculosis.”
National and FCT Achievements
Record TB screenings in FCT: over 40,000 clients in 2025 (Credit: sirmudi_photography via Pexels)
The 63% drop in TB mortality reflects sustained efforts by government, partners, and communities. Nigeria reported over 467,000 TB cases in 2025, the highest ever, due to improved case detection.
In the FCT, the programme achieved record highs in 2025: over 40,171 presumptive TB clients screened and 3,679 cases notified.
Gadzama noted: “Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern globally and nationally. Despite being preventable and curable, TB continues to claim lives and disrupt families and communities.”
Global TB Context
WHO 2024: 10.7M TB cases, 1.23M deaths worldwide (Credit: Monstera Production via Pexels)
In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB globally, resulting in 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 among people with HIV. Nigeria remains among countries with a high TB burden.
“An estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2024, with 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 deaths among people with HIV.”
Calls to Action
Urging public: Know your TB status with free testing (Credit: Ann H via Pexels)
Abolaji Akinola, representing the NTBLCP National Coordinator, urged the public to know their TB status through free testing.
The World Health Organization highlighted global advances in diagnostics, treatment options, digital tools, and community-centred care despite ongoing challenges.
“The world had made remarkable advances in diagnostics, using various treatment options, digital tools, and community-centred care.”
TB is curable with early detection and proper treatment, emphasizing the importance of community outreach and sustained efforts.
