As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the 2025 World NTD Day, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has called for increased budgetary allocations and stronger partnerships to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the country.
The minister, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja emphasised the need for greater collaboration and investment to tackle NTDs, which affect over 200 million Nigerians and are closely linked to poverty, poor sanitation, and inadequate healthcare access.
“Nigeria accounts for 25 per cent of Africa’s NTD cases, with 165 million people requiring preventive treatment. These figures highlight the urgent need for targeted funding and effective partnerships to eliminate these diseases,” Dr. Salako said.
The minister outlined the government’s achievements, including the eradication of Guinea Worm, elimination of Onchocerciasis in two states, and significant progress in reducing trachoma and lymphatic filariasis across the country. However, he noted that much work remains to be done to meet the 2030 global targets set by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) NTD Roadmap.
Dr. Salako stressed that eliminating NTDs requires sustained financial commitment from both government and private sectors. He urged state governments to allocate adequate budgetary funding and integrate NTD programs with other healthcare initiatives to maximize resources.
“The fight against NTDs is not just a federal responsibility. States must step up by mobilising domestic resources, ensuring budgetary support, and prioritising NTD activities in their healthcare plans,” he stated.
The minister also highlighted the importance of partnerships, praising the role of development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and private organisations in supporting Nigeria’s NTD programs.
Also speaking at the event, the Country Director of CBM Global Nigeria, Abdulazeez Musa, emphasised the transformative power of partnerships in addressing NTDs. He highlighted CBM Global’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to integrate mental health care into NTD programs and implement person-centered approaches to disease management.
“NTDs are not just a health issue; they are a social justice issue. Addressing them requires partnerships across sectors to create inclusive health systems that prioritize the most vulnerable populations,” Musa said.
He called for innovative and sustainable financing to ensure equitable healthcare and reiterated the importance of acting promptly and collaboratively to achieve the elimination targets.
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