KEY POINTS

• Nigeria allocates N700bn ($457 Million) to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.
• The government plans to protect TB patients from discrimination.
• Nigeria reports its highest-ever TB notifications in 2024.

The Federal Government has allocated N700 billion ($457 Million) to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, as well as to support national immunization programs.

Dr. Amobi Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, made this announcement during the 2025 Pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja on March 18, 2025.

The allocation comes at a time when the U.S. administration has withdrawn its financial support for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programs in Nigeria.

Ogah commended the Nigerian government for its commitment to addressing these critical health challenges.

According to Punch, he noted that the funds would go a long way in supporting ongoing efforts to tackle these diseases.

“We must commend the government, led by Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for investing a substantial N700 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and to strengthen immunization efforts,” Ogah said.

Calls for increased global funding to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria

Ogah also advocated for more global investment in tuberculosis control.

He mentioned that his committee would be urging the Global Fund to increase its TB funding allocation from 18 percent to 30 percent.

In addition to global funding, the committee plans to introduce legislation to protect individuals affected by TB from discrimination and stigmatization.

Ogah emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in how the funds will be utilized, promising that the government would oversee the proper management of the allocated funds.

Progress in the fight against TB despite challenges

Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, Acting Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, highlighted the progress made in the fight against TB despite challenges.

She explained that although medical diagnostics and treatments have progressed, the disease continues to gain its impact against disadvantaged communities.

Ogbuji-Ladipo underlined the necessity for domestic funding sources to tackle the disease, while advocating for elevated awareness efforts because donor support is decreasing.

In the same vein, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, praised Nigeria’s progress in identifying and treating TB cases.

He revealed that Nigeria had its highest-ever TB notifications, with over 400,000 cases identified in 2024.

Despite this, he expressed concerns over the significant number of missed TB cases and the challenges related to drug-resistant TB.