The legislation seeks to strengthen the state’s legal framework for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment while protecting the rights and dignity of people affected by the disease.
Sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip of the House and member representing Mata State Constituency in Ushongo Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Gabo, the bill received its first reading on 24 September 2026 before being referred to the House Standing Committee on Health for further consideration.
It was passed during plenary on Thursday after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Emberga, presented it for consideration and lawmakers voted in support of its passage.
The proposed law recognises tuberculosis as both a public health challenge and a human rights issue, particularly in view of the stigma and discrimination faced by affected persons in healthcare facilities, workplaces, schools and communities.
It seeks to safeguard their fundamental rights, livelihoods and dignity while improving access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support services.
Under its provisions, government institutions, healthcare facilities, employers and educational institutions would have defined responsibilities in promoting TB prevention and treatment, protecting confidentiality and preventing discrimination against people affected by the disease.
The legislation also provides for informed consent, community-based healthcare services and social protection, alongside measures to improve access to diagnosis and treatment.
It establishes a framework for implementing public health interventions, including screening, contact tracing, case notification and infection control, while safeguarding fundamental human rights.
In addition, the law promotes accountability, community participation and the involvement of TB survivors and civil society organisations in the state’s tuberculosis response.
The passage comes amid the state’s continuing efforts to address its significant tuberculosis burden through a rights-based approach that places affected individuals and communities at the centre of prevention and treatment programmes.
In 2025, Benue State recorded 10,674 TB cases, compared with 10,618 in 2024, according to figures provided in the report. The figures place the state among those with the highest recorded TB burdens in Nigeria and make it the highest-burden state in the North-Central zone.
The state reportedly accounts for approximately 10 per cent of Nigeria’s reported TB burden, while more than 25 per cent of recorded TB cases involve people co-infected with HIV.
With the governor’s assent and effective implementation, the legislation is expected to provide a framework for reducing stigma, improving access to healthcare, strengthening accountability and advancing efforts towards tuberculosis elimination in Benue State.
