The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed her commitment to Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis as she commissioned a new set of molecular TB diagnostic machines at the Dutsen Makaranta Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Dutse, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Speaking during the commissioning on Thursday, the First Lady said the machines, funded through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), reflected a promise fulfilled to strengthen TB diagnosis in underserved communities.
Represented by the wife of the Kwara State governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady noted that, “Earlier this year, during the World TB Day outreach in Salka Village, I pledged an additional one billion naira to support the fight against tuberculosis. I’m pleased that this commitment has become reality.”
“Tuberculosis is curable, but too many Nigerians still die from it due to poor access to diagnostic tools,” she said.
The newly commissioned molecular TB diagnostic machines were part of the second batch funded under the Renewed Hope Initiative, and are expected to significantly improve rapid and accurate TB detection nationwide.
The machines also detect drug-resistant strains of TB, a growing challenge in Nigeria’s TB control efforts.
“These machines will help break the chain of transmission by ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Ending TB in Nigeria is not just about machines and drugs, it demands political will, human and financial resources, and a united front. I urge all stakeholders to increase efforts in mobilising domestic resources to fight this disease,” Senator Tinubu noted.
She also reaffirmed her role as the Global and Africa Regional TB Champion, pledging continued advocacy toward ending TB in Nigeria by 2030.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended the First Lady for her continued leadership and commitment.
“This is promise made and promise kept. Her Excellency’s donations; N1 billion in 2024 and another in 2025 are a powerful example of how political will can drive progress. Her efforts complement the Federal Government’s strategy to integrate TB services into primary healthcare and ensure no Nigerian dies from a preventable and curable disease like TB,” Prof. Pate said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health was working to ensure the availability of drugs, test kits, human resources, and the integration of TB care across the health system.
He praised the ongoing revolution in country’s health sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he said is yielding significant improvements in infrastructure, service delivery, and health outcomes.
“We’ve recorded over 36 million visits to primary healthcare centers in just the first three months of 2025. That is a sign of growing confidence in the system, and it’s being reflected here in the FCT through expanded antenatal care, telehealth, and diagnostics,” he said.
Acting Board Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, in her welcome address, described the machines as a “game changer” in TB detection and management.
“GeneXpert machines provide results in less than two hours and can detect drug resistance. They are critical to early treatment and stopping TB transmission. As donor support dwindles, we must prioritise domestic investment to sustain the gains we’ve made,” she said.
In her goodwill message, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the intervention as timely and impactful, especially for vulnerable populations.
“This commissioning reflects the First Lady’s commitment to accessible healthcare and aligns with our goals in the FCT to improve community health outcomes. We pledge to put the machines to optimal use and ensure they benefit those who need them most,” she stated.
