Tuberculosis Resurgence in Kano State, Nigeria: Epidemiological Drivers, Interventions, and Public Health Challenges – A Mini Systematic Review

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which belongs to the family Mycobacteriaceae.  Nigeria ranked sixth in the world and first in Africa, accounting for 4.6% of global new cases.  Tuberculosis alone accounts for more than 10% of all deaths in Nigeria.  In May 2025, Kano Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT) revealed that Kano State has the highest per capita TB cases globally, accounting for 30% of Nigeria’s total tuberculosis cases.  This review aims to identify the causes of this sudden increase in incidence, the interventions by relevant authorities, and the challenges faced in eliminating the disease and reducing its burden.  In addition to reports from the World Health Organisation, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, and the Kano Independent Research Centre Trust, a total of eleven (11) articles obtained from PubMed and ScienceDirect from 2020 to 2025 were systematically reviewed.  Epidemiologically, the prevalence ranges from 4.7% to 50%.  The review shows that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, population density, extended services, improved screening and detection coverage, and drug resistance, among others, are the major determinants of resurgence of tuberculosis.  The interventions include public sensitization on tuberculosis, medical outreach to several communities, the provision of new centres for detection, and free diagnosis and treatment by both government and non-governmental organizations.  The challenges are poverty, limited access to healthcare, stigma, and poor health knowledge.  In conclusion, tuberculosis is evidently increasing in Kano.  Thus, there is a need for cooperative efforts from public health authorities to enhance public awareness, diagnostic capabilities, treatment compliance, and integrated care strategies that will address the complexities of tuberculosis management, sustain vigilance and innovation in tackling tuberculosis, and ensure WHO’s target to end TB by 2030 is achieved.