The Leprosy & Tuberculosis Relief Initiative (LTRI) has outlined its strategic priorities for 2026 following the successful conclusion of its Fourth Quarter Board and Executive Management Meeting, while also reaffirming its commitment to community-centred humanitarian action with a visit to the Yangoji Leprosy Colony in Abuja.
The meeting, which brought together members of the Board and senior management, reviewed the organisation’s performance in 2025 and aligned its vision for the year ahead. Board members commended the Executive Management for notable improvements in programme delivery, accountability, and ethical management of donor-funded projects, describing the year as one of strengthened institutional performance.
LTRI’s collaboration with the Government of Nigeria was highlighted as a key driver of impact, particularly in supporting early tuberculosis (TB) detection, prompt enrolment of patients into care, and sustained attention to leprosy control as the country advances toward the final phase of elimination.
Discussions also focused on emerging innovations in disease control, including a Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) imaging initiative that leverages artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic accuracy. Nigeria is contributing to prospective image collection and validation alongside other African countries, helping to build a high-quality repository of skin-related NTD images in collaboration with academic partners in Europe and the United Kingdom. The Board emphasized the importance of strong data systems and quality assurance to ensure that innovations deliver real impact at community and health-facility levels.
The Board further underscored the role of effective communication and public engagement in advancing public health outcomes. LTRI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening media engagement and impact storytelling to ensure that its work is clearly understood by communities, partners, and stakeholders.
Governance matters also featured prominently, with the meeting noting preparations for a smooth leadership transition in line with the organisation’s statutes. Board members stressed continuity, inclusiveness, and institutional memory as guiding principles for sustaining strong governance and accountability.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s TB and leprosy landscape, LTRI noted that while the country remains among the world’s high-burden TB nations, recent progress has been encouraging. Improvements in case detection and treatment enrolment have earned Nigeria recognition as a better-performing country in recent World Health Organization assessments. TB diagnosis and treatment services remain free nationwide, and the public was encouraged to seek screening, especially for persistent coughs. For leprosy, although surveillance under the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme is well established, cases remain concentrated in specific hotspots, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance and quality data.
As part of its people-centred approach, LTRI, led by its Executive Director, Dr. Tahir Dahiru, alongside Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, mni, npom, and other Board and management members, also conducted a humanitarian visit to the Yangoji Leprosy Colony in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
During the visit, the delegation held listening sessions with residents, who highlighted key challenges including prolonged power outages, inadequate water supply, a dilapidated school facility, and barriers affecting adolescent girls’ education. LTRI assured the community of its commitment to engage relevant partners and stakeholders to explore practical responses within its mandate.
Food items were also donated to support the immediate welfare of residents, reinforcing LTRI’s belief that the final mile of leprosy elimination must be pursued with dignity, inclusion, and tangible support for affected communities.
Looking ahead, LTRI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships, improving efficiency, and sustaining innovations that accelerate progress toward ending tuberculosis and achieving the final mile of leprosy elimination in Nigeria.
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