Lagos Declares Tuberculosis a Major Biosecurity Threat as First Lady Leads 2030 Eradication Campaign
Lagos — The Lagos State Government has declared tuberculosis a major biosecurity threat, launching a large-scale campaign aimed at eliminating the disease by 2030.
At the official unveiling of newly appointed TB Champions and Ambassadors, First Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, alongside female lawmakers, council chairpersons, and spouses of political leaders, pledged strong support for the fight against the deadly disease.
Commissioner Raises Alarm Over Growing TB Threat
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, described tuberculosis as “one of the most dangerous infections known to man,” warning that its slow progression often delays diagnosis, while late detection can be fatal.
He also highlighted the increasing danger of drug-resistant TB, driven largely by patients who fail to complete treatment. According to him, treatment for resistant strains can take up to 18 months, is extremely expensive, and poses a serious risk to a city of more than 30 million people.
Professor Abayomi called for stronger surveillance, increased public awareness, and consistent political commitment to stop what he termed a “silent but devastating epidemic.”
He noted that the new investiture marks a shift from hospital-based TB response to a community-focused strategy, empowering respected women leaders to help detect cases early and ensure treatment adherence.
The State also invested newly elected female local government chairpersons, wives of Assembly members, and spouses of council chairmen as TB Champions and Ambassadors to reinforce community-level TB action and reaffirm its goal of ending TB by 2030.
Sanwo-Olu’s Wife Leads as State TB Champion
The ceremony, held at the First Lady’s Banquet Hall in Alausa, was led by Dr. Sanwo-Olu in her role as State TB Champion. She described the initiative as a renewed effort to equip women with the influence and visibility needed to drive awareness, encourage testing, reduce stigma, and support treatment compliance.
She revealed that Lagos has secured three of its four female lawmakers as TB Champions, invested seven out of eleven female council chairpersons, and inducted 20 council wives and seven Assembly members’ wives to boost community engagement.
Call for Urgent Action
Dr. Sanwo-Olu stressed the urgency of intervention, noting that over 19,500 TB cases were recorded in 2024, with 11,725 patients placed on treatment between January and September 2025. She reiterated that TB is curable when communities are properly informed and active.
She urged the new ambassadors to use their influence in homes and communities to spread TB awareness, push for increased funding, integrate TB messaging into community activities, and support patients who often face stigma, poverty, and discrimination.
Community Involvement Remains Crucial
Highlighting Lagos’s dense population and 57 LGAs/LCDAs, the First Lady said community engagement is the strongest tool for preventing TB and ensuring treatment adherence, especially with the rise of drug-resistant strains.
She called for stronger political and legislative advocacy to protect patients and expand access to free TB services across primary health centres and general hospitals. She also acknowledged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and commended Nigeria’s First Lady for mobilising N2 billion toward TB response nationwide.
Women Leaders as Key Drivers
Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, praised the First Lady’s dedication to public health and said the newly appointed Champions would play vital roles in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and expanding access to TB care.
Chairperson of the Lagos State TB Steering Committee, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, described the investiture as both strategic and symbolic, noting that the honourees hold influential positions that can shape community attitudes and encourage timely care.
National and International Recognition
Dr. Emperor Ubochioma of the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme commended Lagos for its continued leadership, adding that the First Lady’s advocacy at the recent Copenhagen Union Conference strengthened Nigeria’s global visibility.
He described the investiture as a bold step that leverages women’s unique ability to mobilise communities and support early testing.
Vice Chair of the Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Austin Obiefuna, also praised Lagos for its political resolve, emphasising that the champions’ grassroots influence will determine how quickly the State progresses toward ending TB by 2030.
WHO Applauds Lagos Initiative
Dr. Vivian Ebeziako, representing the World Health Organisation, commended Dr. Sanwo-Olu for setting a benchmark for TB advocacy in the region. She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Lagos in strengthening primary healthcare and expanding TB services.
She congratulated the newly appointed TB Champions, urging them to use their platforms to advance healthier families, stronger communities, and better TB outcomes across the State.