The LIGHT Consortium at Zankli Research Centre, Bingham University, in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) and the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, held a high-level engagement with Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule. The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships for Tuberculosis (TB) awareness, advocacy, and service delivery, particularly addressing gaps in men’s access to TB care.

In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Toyosi Adekeye, Research Uptake Manager of the Light Consortium in Nigeria, noted that the consortium has raised concerns over the low rate of TB care uptake among men, despite evidence showing they are disproportionately affected by the disease. According to the research, while women and children often access hospitals and outreach programs, many men rely on drug stores and informal providers, treating symptoms without receiving proper TB treatment. This not only worsens men’s health but also poses risks to their families, as untreated men  continue to transmit the infection at home.

Assoc. Prof. Adekeye added that, to address this challenge, the consortium developed the DESTINE research program, which explores ways of bringing TB services closer to men. Through collaborations with stakeholders and male-dominated groups such as transport unions. The initiative seeks to reach men in their places of daily interaction. The consortium also introduced community-led interventions like Photovoice, where residents in communities such as Uke and Masaka used photography to highlight barriers and enablers of TB care. These community insights were displayed publicly, encouraging dialogue and awareness around treatment.

One of the consortium’s notable achievements has been working with the NTBLCP to ensure TB data is disaggregated by age and gender across the TB cascade. This has made it possible to identify those who are most at risk and tailor responses accordingly. He further explained that community-based structures such as Local TB Action Groups (LTAGs) have helped spread awareness, with volunteers, including religious leaders, educating communities on free TB testing and treatment. These efforts have significantly increased case detection, reduced knowledge gaps, and addressed stigma associated with the disease.

Assoc. Prof. Adekeye called for Her Excellency’s support in scaling up these community-driven models, as well as for greater governmental commitment to sustain TB interventions through counterpart funding, given the heavy reliance on donor support. He also emphasized the need to convene leadership platforms that can expand awareness across local governments.

Her Excellency, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, commended the Light Consortium’s efforts, noting that she had followed its impactful work, and reaffirmed her commitment to championing TB advocacy in Nasarawa State. She emphasized the need to intensify efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, pointing out that stigma still prevents many people from seeking treatment, even though diagnosis and care are free.

The First Lady expressed her willingness to support the Consortium’s request to expand TB advocacy across the state, including convening a meeting with the wives of local government chairmen at an appointed date. According to her, ending TB must be treated as a priority to protect future generations from the disease. She further stressed the importance of targeted community outreach, particularly for men, who often choose to prioritize their farms or income-generating activities over hospital visits. Her Excellency pledged her support for initiatives that safeguard the health of families and communities, while calling for greater awareness to ensure more men seek timely TB testing and treatment.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph.

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