The Lagos State Government on Tuesday intensified its fight against Tuberculosis (TB) with a large-scale awareness walk and high-level symposium to mark the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, reaffirming its commitment to ending the disease through collective action.
The event, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady TB Steering Committee, began with an awareness walk around the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. The exercise drew participation from key stakeholders, development partners, healthcare workers, students, and community advocates.
Participants carried placards and shared messages on TB prevention, early detection, and treatment adherence, sensitising residents to the dangers of the disease and the need for prompt medical attention.
The walk culminated in a symposium at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa-Ikeja, where policymakers, health experts, and partners convened to review progress and outline strategies for eliminating TB in Lagos State.
Delivering the keynote address, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stressed the need for intensified awareness and innovative approaches to combat tuberculosis, noting that the disease is both preventable and curable.
She described community-based officers and grassroots workers as “foot soldiers” in the fight against TB, urging them to remain resilient despite field challenges while disseminating accurate information to underserved populations.
Highlighting the importance of early education, she advocated for the active involvement of students in TB advocacy, noting that early awareness would help curb misinformation and promote community-wide sensitisation.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu revealed that TB treatment typically lasts between four and six months, warning that failure to complete treatment could result in drug-resistant TB, which may require up to 18 months of intensive care.
On financing, she called for sustainable funding models beyond donor support, urging the adoption of innovative approaches such as trust funds and the integration of TB services into health insurance schemes to ensure continuity of care.
She also expressed concern over the number of undetected TB cases in Lagos, disclosing that out of an estimated 30,000 cases, only about 16,000 have been identified, leaving many untreated and capable of spreading the disease.
The First Lady further advocated the use of digital tools, creative content, and simplified messaging such as “Check Am” to boost awareness, alongside an integrated approach combining TB, HIV/AIDS, and malaria interventions.
In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described tuberculosis as a major public health concern in Lagos due to its infectious nature and the state’s dense population.
He explained that TB is transmitted through the air and often presents symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats, urging residents to seek prompt medical evaluation.
Prof. Abayomi disclosed that Lagos records about 24,000 TB cases annually, with approximately 16,000 detected, leaving a significant number undiagnosed and contributing to continued transmission.
He warned against the dangers of drug-resistant TB resulting from incomplete treatment and stressed adherence to Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). He also called for an end to stigma, noting that it discourages affected individuals from seeking care.
In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the commemoration as both symbolic and strategic, bringing stakeholders together to renew commitment to ending TB.
She noted that Lagos State has made significant progress through improved surveillance, expanded diagnostic capacity, and increased access to treatment, while emphasising the need to address social determinants such as poverty and overcrowding.
Dr. Ogunyemi commended development partners, including international organisations and civil society groups, for their continued support, and called for sustained investment, innovation, and community engagement.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission and Chairman of the TB Steering Committee, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, described TB as a persistent public health and socio-economic challenge requiring collective action.
She emphasised early detection, treatment adherence, and community support, urging residents to eliminate stigma and work towards a TB-free society.
The National Professional Officer of the World Health Organization, Dr. Vivian Ibiezoko, commended Lagos State for expanding access to TB services, including rapid testing and community-based interventions.
She, however, called for increased financing, improved diagnostic access, stronger surveillance systems, and enhanced social protection to sustain progress and ensure equitable healthcare delivery.
Representatives of partner organisations, including the Stop TB Partnership, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, and Damien Foundation Germany, reiterated their commitment to supporting Lagos State through collaborative efforts aimed at improving case detection, treatment, and awareness.
They acknowledged that tuberculosis remains a major health challenge but expressed confidence that with sustained partnerships, innovation, and public participation, the goal of ending TB is achievable.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, commended the First Lady for her leadership as TB Ambassador, as well as healthcare workers and stakeholders for their dedication.
She also praised TB survivors and patients undergoing treatment for their resilience, encouraging them to complete their medication while assuring continued government support.
The 2026 World TB Day in Lagos State, themed “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by countries, Powered by people,” ended with a renewed call for collective responsibility, as stakeholders pledged to intensify efforts to eliminate tuberculosis across the state.
