Nigeria’s HIV response requires more muscle

Nigeria has made significant strides in its fight against HIV and AIDS, achieving two of the three global 95-95-95 targets.

This means that 87 per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status, 98 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy, ART; and 95 per cent of those on ART treatment have achieved viral suppression.

The 95-95-95 strategy is a UNAIDS initiative with the goal of ending the global HIV epidemic by 2030.

Achieving these targets is considered crucial for transforming HIV care and ending the epidemic as a public health threat.

Nigeria’s achievement reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen HIV prevention, testing, and treatment across the nation.

Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS said the progress is a testament to Nigeria’s advancement to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“And we will not stop until that goal is achieved,” Ilori declared.

One notable example is Lagos State, which has an estimated 160,000 residents living with HIV, with 147,466 persons currently on antiretroviral treatment.

The state government on Nov. 18 launched a Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign, which has tested over 9,943 residents, including 3,402 males and 6,541 females, with a positivity rate of two per cent.

“All individuals who tested positive have been linked to care,” said Dr Folakemi Animashaun, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency.

Animashaun emphasised that the detection of new cases confirms that HIV remains a significant public health concern requiring sustained vigilance.

Other states such as Rivers, Benue, and Akwa Ibom, have also reported high numbers of people living with HIV.

However, these states have also intensified efforts in testing, treatment, and prevention services.

For instance, Rivers State has established youth-focused Wellness Centres to offer safe and accessible spaces for young people to receive HIV testing, counselling, treatment, and comprehensive sexual healthcare.

Notably, Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS, SACA, conducted a multi-disease medical outreach for inmates of the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre, in alignment with the state’s vision of eliminating barriers to healthcare for vulnerable and underserved groups.

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Dr Usman Bashir, Director-General of SACA, said persons in custodial facilities remained a high-priority population in the country’s HIV response due to overcrowding, limited access to healthcare and high disease burden.

“Today’s multi-disease campaign at the Kurmawa facility underscores the commitment of the Kano State Government under Gov. Abba Yusuf to leaving no one behind.

“By bringing screening and care directly to inmates, we are strengthening prevention, expanding treatment access and sustaining progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.

The exercise, conducted as part of activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day, featured screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and Tuberculosis, alongside counselling, treatment referral and health education.

The global commemoration of World AIDS Day is being observed under the theme ‘Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigerian HIV Response.”

Similarly, ‎Dr Bartholomew Ochonye, Chief Executive Officer, Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE (HALG), disclosed that the organisation reached 1.3 million people with HIV testing services in 2025, among whom 88,055 individuals are currently on life-saving treatment.

‎Ochonye hailed the achievement as a testament to the group’s tireless efforts to tackle HIV in Nigeria, revealing that the alliance’s work also led to 17 HALG-supported sites being certified as community clinics, which now serve as shining examples of hope in the fight against HIV.

‎‎” These community clinics have been crucial in providing access to quality HIV services, including prevention, testing, treatment, and ongoing care, to hundreds of thousands of people in Nigeria,” he said.

The global HIV financing landscape faced a disruption of an abrupt reduction in international HIV assistance, particularly from the United States, which had been the largest contributor to global HIV funding.

The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief had its funding discontinued, leading to a significant funding shortfall affecting global HIV prevention programmes and community-led services.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government and some states are taking proactive steps to mobilise local resources to enhance sustainability and national ownership of HIV response.

President Bola Tinubu approved a $200 million emergency fund to prevent disruption of HIV services; some states, like Cross River and Lagos, increased their budget allocations for HIV and AIDS programmes, demonstrating a commitment to domestic resource mobilisation.

Similarly, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State approved N45 million to strengthen prevention programmes, including purchase of HIV test kits, public education, condom distribution, and expanded interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

‎The success of Nigeria’s HIV response can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of government agencies, civil society organisations, and community-led initiatives.

While Nigeria has made significant progress in its HIV response, with 87 per cent of people living with HIV knowing their status, the two per cent positivity rate in Lagos State’s recent testing campaign highlights that there’s still much work to be done.

This rate suggests that there are still many undiagnosed cases, and the country is not yet in the clear.

Health experts note that the two per cent positivity rate in Lagos is concerning, especially considering the state’s relatively high testing coverage.

They underscore the need for intensified testing and case finding, particularly among high-risk populations and hard-to-reach communities, not only in Lagos, but across the country.

The experts also highlight the importance of enhanced community engagement and addressing stigma and discrimination, which can drive people away from testing and treatment services.

They further emphasised the importance of sustained funding and resources to support HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services, particularly in high-burden states.

By taking these steps, the experts submit that Nigeria can build on its progress and move closer to achieving the 95-95-95 targets and ultimately ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. (NAN Features)