ADDRESS BY DR. IZIAQ ADEKUNLE SALAKO, MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE DELIVERED AT THE 2026 WORLD TB DAY COMMEMORATION WITH OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE MULTISECTORAL ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK (MAF-TB) AND THE LONG ACTING INJECTABLE HIV PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS – LENACAPAVIR HELD ON TUESDAY 24TH MARCH, 2026 AT NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA.

PROTOCOL

2. Today, Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate World TB Day 2026, launch Lenacapavir (LEN) PrEP for HIV prevention, and unveil the Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB) application. This convergence reflects an intentional shift toward a health system that is innovative, integrated, and accountable.
3. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and driven by the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), we have transitioned from fragmented, donor-dependent silos to a coordinated Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp). This ensures that all availlable resources, are aligned behind national priorities to deliver measurable impact.
4. Through the NHSRII framework, we are prioritizing integration of TB and HIV services across all levels of care, alignment of partner support with national systems and priorities, strengthened accountability using tools like MAF-TB and providing sustainable financing to ensure TB and HIV services are free at the point of care.
5. It is heartwarming that our TB response has achieved historic milestones with case notifications surging from 138,591 in 2020 to 440,000 in 2025, the highest ever recorded in Nigeria. This achievement is the result of strategically expanding our diagnostic networks especially our GeneXpert network which increased from 32 machines in 2012 to 527 today, while TB-TrueNat capacity grew from 39 units in 2013 to 372 in 2026.
6. Treatment success also remains high at 94%, reflecting the dedication of our health workforce and the efficacy of TB medicines. Yet, thousands of cases remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for continued innovation, expanded access, and domestic financing.

Similarly, in the last three years up to the end of 2025, the performance of the HIV response with focus on the UNAIDS 95 have achieved 93% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status, 99% of people who know their status are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95% of people receiving ART are virally suppressed. PMTCT coverage has also improved from 33% at the start of 2023 to close to 70% by end of 2025.

7. As we continue to progress in achieving epidemic control, the need to intensify prevention strategies to sustain the gains through innovative, accessible, and scalable methods such as the LEN PrEP remains critical. The launch today of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable PrEP administered twice yearly, represents a transformative advance in HIV prevention. It offers high efficacy, discretion, and convenience, especially for individuals who face stigma, mobility challenges, or difficulty adhering to daily oral medications.
8. Similarly, the MAF-TB application will strengthens accountability and multisectoral coordination by enabling real-time tracking of commitments, ensuring all stakeholders including government, partners, and communities are aligned in delivering results.
9. I commend our partners, the Global Fund, the United States Government through the Department of States, UN agencies like UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, other development partners and our community stakeholders for their unwavering support and collaboration.
10. To “End TB and HIV”, my call to all stakeholders is to continue to institutionalize TB and HIV within all health implementation frameworks so that we spend smarter, implement sustainably and impact at scale. Let me assure you all that TB and HIV care are essential components of our universal health coverage agenda that the federal government is committed to its sustainable funding.
11. I invite our cherished healthcare workers to continue displaying professionalism and dedication which are critical to the success of these interventions. And to our communities, civil society, and traditional leaders, we will continue to count on your trust, advocacy, and engagement as essential elements to get to the unreached and combat stigma.
12. Together, through innovation, integration, and accountability, we can accelerate progress toward ending HIV and tuberculosis as public health threats. Let today’s launches of Lenacapavir and MAF-TB therefore signal Nigeria’s leadership in adopting scientific breakthroughs, strengthening systems, and building a healthier, more resilient nation.
13. My messages to every Nigerian are simple:
    If you have a cough that lasts for two weeks or more, do not wait, visit the nearest health facility, testing and treatment are free.
    The ABC of HIV prevention (Abstinence/ Avoiding risky behaviours, Be mutually faithful and Consistent Condom use) are very important and they remain the key for HIV prevention. If you know you are at risk for HIV, get tested. If your result shows you are positive, ensure the immediate commencement of treatment in an health facility with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). If you are negative, but at high risk of getting infected, commence use of oral preventive medications or injections for PrEP such as Carbotegravir and and the newly launched Lenacapavir under appropriate medical quidiance.
14. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, join me to rededicate and recommitt by echoing “Yes we can end TB and end HIV”. Together, let join hands to ensure that every Nigerian has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life free of preventable diseases like TB and HIV.

And so with peace and plenty, Nigeria shall be blessed.