The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that Nigeria has achieved two of the three global HIV targets 95-95-95, marking a major milestone in its national response as the country commemorates World AIDS Day 2025.
NACA Director-General Dr Temitope Ilori announced the progress on Monday in Abuja, saying Nigeria is “steadily moving towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030”.
Dr. Ilori said the country’s performance reflects “remarkable progress in HIV diagnosis, treatment coverage and viral suppression,” noting that 87% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% of those who know their status are on treatment and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
“This progress is a testament to Nigeria’s resilience despite global disruptions, economic uncertainties, fluctuating donor support and the evolving global health financing landscape,” he said. “Nigeria’s response to HIV has not wavered. It has adapted, innovated and endured.”
It highlighted a 46% decline in new HIV infections over the past decade, improvements in prevention of mother-to-child transmission, early childhood diagnosis and pediatric treatment, although these areas still require intensified attention.
According to her, collaboration with civil society and community-led organizations has been essential to expanding access to testing, prevention and treatment services, particularly for adolescents, youth and key populations.
“In 2024 alone, 204,201 members of the key population received antiretroviral therapy with strong viral suppression results,” he added while praising states that increased national investments through HIV trust funds and improved budget commitments.
Dr Ilori also commended the decisive intervention of President Bola Tinubu who approved $200 million to avoid service disruption amid global financial uncertainties. He described the move as “leadership in action and a reaffirmation of national ownership.”
Additionally, he announced greater integration of HIV services into broader health systems through the ATM-TWG platform and increased enrollment of people living with HIV in state health insurance plans. He noted that innovations in digital reporting tools have improved data accuracy and accountability.
Despite notable progress, he warned that Nigeria still faces “persistent stigma and discrimination, heavy dependence on external funding, a high burden of pediatric HIV, and difficult-to-reach underserved areas.”
Dr. Ilori pledged that Nigeria will increase domestic funding, expand access to PrEP, accelerate efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and intensify prevention services for key and vulnerable groups. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting local production of antiretrovirals to strengthen self-sufficiency.
“Multi-sector collaboration spanning health, education, gender, labor and social protection will remain critical to sustaining progress,” he said, urging governments at all levels, civil society and the media to “ensure that all Nigerians can access life-saving HIV services without stigma or discrimination.”
“Nigeria is closer than ever to achieving an AIDS-free generation. Let us maintain the momentum until AIDS is no longer a threat to any Nigerian,” he added.
UNAIDS Representative in Nigeria, Dr Leo Zekeng, represented by Gabriel Undel Ikwo, praised the country’s resilience amid global funding cuts affecting prevention and community services.
“Despite the financial challenges experienced earlier in the year, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustaining its response to HIV,” Ikwo said.
He praised Nigeria’s programmatic changes, including greater integration of services, renewed sustainability efforts and greater mobilization of domestic resources. He also commended President Bola Tinubu, Coordinating Minister of Health, and NACA for “promoting reforms, ensuring local financing and ensuring continued access to treatment for vulnerable groups.”
Reaffirming UNAIDS’ commitment, he highlighted that AIDS “is not over yet” and warned that achieving the 2030 goal will require “sustained national leadership, partnerships, collaboration and community empowerment.”
Representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr. Omoniyi Amos stressed the importance of awareness, solidarity with people living with HIV and remembrance of those lost, particularly to tuberculosis and HIV co-infection.
He said this year’s theme, “Overcoming disruption, sustaining the Nigerian response to HIV”, reflects the global context of funding uncertainties.
Amos praised Nigeria’s adoption of innovative solutions, including the planned 2026 launch of the long-acting HIV prevention drug lenacapavir. He also applauded the country’s use of data-driven decision-making and strong community structures that kept treatment uninterrupted.
“Notable progress includes reductions in new infections and deaths, supported by government allocations of $4.8 billion for antiretroviral procurement and increased uptake of treatment services,” he said.
He described Nigeria’s progress – 87% of people aware, 99% of those receiving treatment and 97% virally suppressed – as “remarkable”, but urged sustained investment, stronger health systems and an intensification of the fight against stigma.
Deputy Executive Director (Programmes) of Public Health Initiatives (APIN), Dr. Jay Samuels, pledged the organization’s continued support despite global financial uncertainties.
He said APIN, as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous NGOs, remains committed to ensuring that the HIV epidemic is kept under control and aligned with this year’s theme.
Dr. Samuels said reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign donors is critical and emphasized APIN’s determination to mobilize local resources to strengthen sustainability.
He assured that the organization strongly supports the Federal Government in its renewed efforts to deepen the control of the HIV epidemic and address other threats to public health, and said that APIN will continue to support national initiatives that promote a resilient and self-sustaining HIV response throughout the country.
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