Nigeria remains one of the countries detecting over 1,000 new leprosy cases annually, according to recent data presented by the Focal Person, National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Munirah Abdulahi.
She made this known during her presentation at a townhall meeting to commemorate 2025 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTFS) Day on Monday in Abuja.
Statistics spanning 2011 to 2023 indicate fluctuating trends, with a noticeable decline in cases but persistent detections.
The data reveals that in 2011, Nigeria recorded 3,623 new cases of leprosy, which peaked in 2012 at 3,805 cases. Since then, there has been a gradual reduction, dropping to 1,541 cases in 2020. However, the figures show a slight resurgence, with 2,425 new cases detected in 2023.
The chart highlights the challenges in achieving complete eradication, despite global and national efforts to combat the disease. Experts warn that leprosy remains a public health concern, particularly in underserved communities where awareness, access to healthcare, and early detection remain limited.
As part of efforts to address the issue, health authorities continue to advocate for sustained funding, community outreach, and integration of leprosy control measures into primary healthcare systems.
The report serves as a call to action for stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and intensify interventions to prevent new infections and support affected individuals.
Speaking on some of the challenges facing the fight against leprosy and Buruli ulcer in Nigeria, Abdulahi hinted that persistent stock-outs of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) drugs, which are essential for treating leprosy. The non-supply and frequent shortages discourage field officers and adversely impact program performance, further complicating disease control efforts.
She also expressed waning interest in leprosy and Buruli ulcer interventions due to operational and funding challenges. The lack of motivation among field workers raises concerns about the sustainability of ongoing campaigns.
Additionally, the absence of a dedicated WHO National Program Officer (NPO) for NTDs, including leprosy and Buruli ulcer, has complicated program coordination. Experts believe that appointing a dedicated officer could significantly enhance strategic planning and execution.
A critical impediment to progress remains inadequate funding. Limited budget allocation for leprosy and Buruli ulcer activities continues to hinder efforts, leaving affected communities without essential support.
Abdulahi hinted that , the challenges call for urgent attention from stakeholders to ensure sustained progress in the fight against leprosy and other NTDs. Enhanced funding, supply chain management, and improved program coordination are necessary to overcome these hurdles and bring much-needed relief to affected individuals.
Abdulahi while speaking on the way forward notes that, the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to tackle leprosy and Buruli ulcer in Nigeria. The strategy, presented during a recent stakeholders’ meeting, emphasizes strengthening program implementation, advocacy, resource mobilization, and capacity building.
According to her, Program Implementation:
The plan prioritizes expanding active case-finding efforts through community-based interventions. It also emphasizes enhancing community awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and improve case detection; Advocacy and Engagement:
The program aims to organize a National Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Partners Engagement Meeting. This meeting will foster alignment between stakeholders and resource mobilization efforts; Resource Mobilization:
Strategies to ensure sustainable funding for the program were underscored as critical for long-term success; MDT and Logistics Management:
Ensuring continuous availability of multi-drug therapy (MDT) remains a priority. The roadmap calls for improvements in the procurement and supply chain processes to ensure timely delivery of essential medications; Capacity Strengthening:
Training healthcare workers and building the technical capacity of relevant stakeholders are central to the initiative; and Monitoring and Evaluation:
The program will focus on rigorous monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and make necessary adjustments.
This initiative aligns with the global fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to eliminating leprosy and Buruli ulcer as public health challenges. Stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, were commended for their unwavering support in addressing these diseases.
She concluded with a call for collective efforts to sustain the momentum and ensure the implementation of the outlined strategies for better health outcomes across the country.
