Elegbede Abiodun
Citizens raised placards to disseminate key messages on TB prevention, early detection and treatment.
Lagos State Government on Tuesday intensified its fight against Tuberculosis (TB) with a large-scale awareness walk and high-level symposium to commemorate the Year 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, commenced with an awareness walk around the Lagos State Government Secretariat community in Alausa, Ikeja, drawing participation from key stakeholders, development partners, healthcare workers, students and community advocates.
Participants carried placards and disseminated key messages on TB prevention, early detection and treatment adherence, as they sensitised residents on the dangers of the disease and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention.
The walk culminated in a symposium held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, where policymakers, health experts and partners convened to review progress and chart pathways towards eliminating TB in Lagos State.
Delivering the keynote address, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the need for intensified awareness and innovative strategies to combat tuberculosis, noting that the disease remains both preventable and curable.
She stressed that community-based officers and grassroots workers must serve as “foot soldiers” in the fight against TB, urging them to remain resilient despite field challenges, while amplifying accurate information to underserved populations.
Highlighting the importance of early education, the First Lady advocated for deliberate engagement of students in TB advocacy, noting that catching them young would help in disseminating accurate information within communities and reducing misinformation.
She further revealed that TB treatment typically lasts between four to six months, warning that failure to complete treatment could lead to drug-resistant TB, which may require up to 18 months of intensive care.
Speaking on financing, Dr. Sanwo-Olu called for sustainable funding models beyond donor support, urging the adoption of innovative approaches such as trust funds and integration of TB services into health insurance schemes to ensure continuity of care.
She also decried the level of undetected TB cases in Lagos, disclosing that out of an estimated 30,000 cases, only about 16,000 have been identified, leaving a significant number within the community capable of spreading the disease.
The First Lady advocated for the use of digital tools, creative content, and simplified messaging such as “Check Am” to drive awareness, while also promoting an integrated approach combining TB, HIV/AIDS and malaria interventions.
Earlier 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 contagious nature and the State’s dense population.
He explained that TB is transmitted through the air and often presents with symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, weight loss and night sweats, urging residents to seek medical evaluation promptly when such symptoms occur.
Prof. Abayomi disclosed that Lagos records about 24,000 TB cases annually, with approximately 16,000 cases identified, leaving a significant number undiagnosed and contributing to ongoing transmission within communities.
He warned against drug-resistant TB resulting from incomplete treatment, stressing the importance of adherence to Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), while also calling for an end to stigma, which he noted discourages patients 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 together critical stakeholders to renew commitment to ending TB.
She noted that Lagos State has made significant strides through improved surveillance, expanded diagnostic capacity and increased access to treatment, while emphasising that tackling TB requires addressing social determinants such as poverty and overcrowding.
Dr Ogunyemi commended development partners, including international organisations and civil society groups, for their continued support, while urging sustained investment, innovation and community engagement to eliminate TB.
In her goodwill message, 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 the importance of early detection, adherence to treatment and community support, urging Lagos residents to eliminate stigma and work towards a TB-free society.
Also speaking, the National Professional Officer of the World Health Organization, Dr. Vivian Ibiezoko, commended Lagos State for its leadership in expanding access to TB services, including rapid testing and community-based interventions.
She, however, called for increased financing, improved diagnostic access, enhanced surveillance systems and stronger social protection to sustain progress and ensure equitable healthcare delivery.
Other partners, including representatives of 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 community awareness.
They noted that tuberculosis remains a major health challenge but affirmed 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 exceptional leadership as TB Ambassador, as well as healthcare workers and stakeholders for their dedication.
She also acknowledged the resilience of TB survivors and patients undergoing treatment, encouraging them to remain committed to completing 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,” concluded with a renewed call for collective responsibility, as stakeholders pledged to intensify efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis across the State.
Signed
Tunbosun Ogunbanwo
Director, Public Affairs
24th March, 2026
