Our history

Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Initiative Nigeria (LTR) grew into an entity in 2018 following the closure of the regional office of NLR Nigeria. The transition of NLR Nigeria into LTR was to continue and manage leprosy and tuberculosis control activities handled by the parent organisation in some northern states.

The new entity, LTR manages the programs previously led by NLR Nigeria; this includes the NLR legacy project and GFATM NFM DS-TB and DR-TB grants in 9 states. To close all gaps that may occur following the leaving of NLR Nigeria, an indigenous nonprofit non-governmental organization was registered.

Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Initiative Nigeria is leading a strategic and innovative ‘slimmer and smarter’ approach to leprosy control in Nigeria in the face of dwindling resources. By partnering, collaborating and working with NLR, institutions, governments and community members, we can promote and support directly and indirectly the elimination of leprosy and TB and its consequences in Nigeria. The board of trustees of LTR is made up of seasoned technocrats and administrators who are expected to chart the course for the future development of the organization.

The parent organization, NLR Nigeria, started leprosy control activities in 1974 from existing correspondence.

Since 1978, the leprosy programme in supported states was coordinated from the regional office in Jos, Plateau State. From 1978 to 2017, the regional office has had 4 country representatives; the first representative was a British and the rest were Dutch from the Netherlands. It is noteworthy, to mention that the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria was developed with considerable (financial) assistance from NLR. The Zaria training centre has been responsible for the capacity building of medical officers, state programme tuberculosis and leprosy control programmes, local government TBL supervisors and microscopists required for TBL control in Nigeria.