Nigeria Can Eliminate Major NTDs By 2030 – Health Minister

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, has said that Nigeria is firmly on track to eliminate major Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030.

He cited significant progress recorded through sustained political commitment, partnerships and community-driven interventions.

Salako disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a media briefing in commemoration of the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) and Leprosy Day.

He said the 2026 theme, “Unite, Act and Eliminate NTDs towards the Achievement of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals,” underscored the urgency of collective action, innovative financing and stronger integration of NTD interventions with other public health programmes.

According to the minister, NTDs remain a major public health concern, particularly among poor and vulnerable populations, with Nigeria accounting for about 25 per cent of Africa’s burden and placing more than 200 million people at risk of one NTD or another.

He noted that despite the scale of the challenge, Nigeria had recorded measurable gains in disease control and elimination, aligned with the World Health Organisation’s NTD Roadmap 2021–2030 and the country’s National NTD Elimination Roadmap.

Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Daju Kachollom, said that globally, over one billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases, with Africa bearing about half of the burden.

He disclosed that about 119.9 million Nigerians no longer require treatment for lymphatic filariasis, while transmission of onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, has been interrupted in 10 states, with 59 million people no longer requiring ivermectin treatment.

The minister added that Nigeria had achieved an 89 per cent reduction in trachoma prevalence among at-risk populations, with about 33 million people no longer needing mass drug administration, while treatment has been stopped in most endemic local government areas.

He noted that the Federal Government was leveraging the Health Campaign Effectiveness–Collaborative Action Strategy to integrate NTD campaigns with malaria, immunisation, nutrition and measles-rubella interventions in order to improve efficiency and impact.

The minister also highlighted progress in leprosy control, including strengthened surveillance, early case detection, expanded contact tracing and the rollout of Single-Dose Rifampicin for post-exposure prophylaxis, aimed at reducing transmission and stigma.

Also speaking, the Director and National Coordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the ministry, Dr Fatai Oyediran, said Nigeria’s success was largely due to sustained preventive chemotherapy, improved surveillance and strong community participation.

Oyediran noted that NTDs predominantly affected rural and underserved communities with poor sanitation, unsafe water sources and limited access to healthcare, urging citizens to support elimination efforts through improved water, sanitation and hygiene practices.

“Scientific evidence shows that good WASH practices alone can reduce disease prevalence by up to 30 per cent. Community ownership remains critical, as our drug distributors and coordinators are drawn directly from the communities they serve,” he said.

The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, health professionals and the media to review progress, address gaps and renew commitment to eliminating NTDs in Nigeria.

Participants also used the occasion to call for increased domestic funding, stronger state-level ownership and sustained public awareness to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.