By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to protect people living with and affected by tuberculosis (TB) from discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Make Provision for the Prevention of TB-Based Discrimination and Protect the Fundamental Human Rights and Dignity of People Living with and Affected by TB,” scaled second reading during plenary on June 9, 2026.
Sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah and 12 other lawmakers, the bill aims to establish legal safeguards for persons affected by tuberculosis and promote equal access to healthcare services without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Stakeholders, including TB-affected communities, civil society organisations and development partners, described the development as a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to address social and human rights barriers that continue to undermine the fight against the disease.
According to advocates, many Nigerians living with tuberculosis still face stigma, exclusion and violations of their rights, discouraging some from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment.
They noted that the proposed law would strengthen protections for affected persons while promoting dignity, accountability and a people-centred approach to tuberculosis control.
The bill follows years of advocacy by TB survivors, healthcare professionals, legal experts, civil society groups and development partners.
The campaign gained momentum after a National Parliamentary Retreat held in Lagos in November 2024, where lawmakers and health stakeholders developed recommendations that culminated in the presentation of the bill.
The initiative was supported by the Stop TB Partnership through its Challenge Facility for Civil Society Grant, The Global Fund Nigeria and Lawyers Alert Nigeria, working alongside the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP).
President of Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom, welcomed the passage of the bill, describing it as an important milestone in the quest to guarantee justice and dignity for people affected by tuberculosis.
He, however, stressed the need for continued community engagement during the public hearing process to ensure the final legislation reflects the experiences and needs of those most affected by the disease.
Also speaking, Director of Programmes at the Global TB Caucus and Executive Director of Debriche Health Development Centre, Deborah Ikeh, said the bill represents a strong political commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and accelerating efforts to end tuberculosis in Nigeria.
A TB survivor and advocate, Ekong Francis Ubong, said the legislation would help tackle stigma and discrimination while ensuring that no Nigerian is denied dignity, care or opportunity because of tuberculosis.
As the bill progresses to committee stage and public hearing, Lawyers Alert and its partners have called on government agencies, development partners, donors, civil society organisations, professional bodies and the media to support meaningful community participation in the legislative process.
Advocates believe the passage of the bill comes at a crucial time as Nigeria seeks to accelerate progress towards eliminating tuberculosis as a public health threat and strengthening protections for vulnerable populations.
They expressed optimism that a strong legal framework would enhance healthcare accountability, improve health outcomes and support the country’s broader efforts to combat infectious diseases.
