From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Lawyers Alert, a human right based organization has lamented that people affected by Tuberculosis TB often experience stigma and discrimination in employment, education, healthcare and their communities discouraging early diagnosis, undermining treatment adherence and deepen social and economic exclusion.
President of Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom, who has been closely involved in advocacy for rights-based TB legislation at both federal and state levels, acknowledged the successful first Reading of the Benue State Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2026 before the Benue State House of Assembly, describing the development as an important milestone in the effort to end tuberculosis through a response that places human rights, dignity and affected communities at its centre.
The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Simon Gabo, Deputy Chief Whip and Member representing Mata State Constituency in Ushongo Local Government Area, received its First Reading during plenary on 24 September 2026 and was subsequently referred to the House Standing Committee on Health for further legislative consideration.
The development, Lawyers Alert observed represents the culmination of sustained consultation, advocacy and collaboration among legislators, people affected by tuberculosis, TB survivors, health stakeholders and civil society and human rights organisations.
It noted that the proposed legislation recognizes an increasingly important reality in Nigeria’s TB response, averring that tuberculosis is not only a medical or public health challenge; but equally a human rights and social justice issue, adding that these challenges have also featured prominently in the ongoing consideration of TB-specific legislation at the National Assembly.
Speaking on the rationale for sponsoring the legislation, Hon. Simon Gabo stated, “The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that Benue State has a strong legal framework that supports the elimination of tuberculosis while protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of people affected by TB. No person should lose employment, education, healthcare, livelihood or community acceptance simply because they have tuberculosis.
“As legislators, we have a responsibility to support public health interventions with laws that protect our people, encourage access to testing and treatment, and confront stigma and discrimination.”
Mom commended Hon. Gabo and the Benue State House of Assembly for demonstrating legislative leadership, stressing that
“this First Reading is significant because it brings us closer to a Benue State where a diagnosis of tuberculosis does not translate into stigma, exclusion or loss of dignity. Ending TB requires medicines, diagnostics and strong health systems, but it also requires law, justice and the removal of the human rights barriers that prevent people from seeking and remaining in care.”
Dr. Mom particularly applauded the Benue State House of Assembly for embracing a legislative process informed by consultations with people affected by TB and organisations working directly with affected communities.
He said the Benue initiative also complements the ongoing effort to establish a comprehensive federal legal framework for TB elimination and human rights protection in Nigeria, maintaining that at the federal level, Lawyers Alert has been facilitating and providing technical support to the legislative process around the proposed TB Rights legislation.
Dr. Mom noted that progress at both federal and state levels demonstrates the potential for complementary national and subnational legislation to accelerate Nigeria’s efforts towards eliminating TB.
Lawyers Alert therefore calls on members of the Benue State House of Assembly, relevant government ministries and agencies, traditional and community leaders, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, development partners and, critically, people affected by TB to continue engaging constructively as the Bill proceeds through subsequent legislative stages.
