Despite ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, significant challenges remain in achieving the 2030 HIV/AIDS-free targets. These include stigma and discrimination, limited political commitment to prevention, inadequate investment at the sub-national level, and financial constraints.
Programs like the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) have been highly effective in lowering HIV transmission rates during childbirth. Despite this, there is a pressing need to expand PMTCT services quickly across Nigeria to ensure they reach the numerous women in need.
Public education initiatives have played a key role in raising awareness and reducing stigma, motivating more people to access testing and treatment. Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), stated that Nigeria has made significant strides toward achieving the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets.
These targets aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of individuals on ART to achieve an undetectable viral load.
The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) and NACA launched the HIV Trust Fund to sustainably mobilise resources from the private sector to support HIV programs nationwide, with a primary focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT).
The fund is primarily dedicated to financing essential resources such as antiretroviral medications, test kits, reagents, and logistics, ensuring these supplies are delivered to facilities across Nigeria where they are most needed.
Nigeria has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, progressing steadily toward the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets and expanding access to antiretroviral therapy for millions.
But as the nation works toward eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, achieving this goal will require ongoing dedication, innovative approaches, and a strong emphasis on human rights.
World’s AIDS Day
This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” aligns with Nigeria’s efforts, urging all stakeholders to tackle inequalities that impede progress and ensure healthcare is a universal right available to everyone without discrimination.
Achieving this vision involves safeguarding rights, reducing stigma, and empowering communities with the knowledge and resources needed to prevent HIV transmission and protect their health.
With the support and collaboration of key stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and development partners like UNAIDS and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which have been pivotal to Nigeria’s progress in addressing HIV, challenges still persist. These include identifying undiagnosed cases and ensuring consistent adherence to treatment.
NACA is promoting public-private partnerships to boost local production of HIV-related supplies, including antiretroviral medications and testing kits. Maintaining these initiatives is crucial for safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of Nigerians.
Nigeria’s current health leadership is committed to advancing the domestic production of healthcare products by optimising the healthcare value chain. This approach is critical, as the country’s heavy dependence on imported antiretroviral drugs and testing kits is unsustainable.
To tackle this issue, NACA is collaborating with local pharmaceutical companies to strengthen their capacity for domestic production. The agency also advocates for policies that attract investment in the local manufacturing of HIV-related supplies and promotes regulatory reforms to streamline production processes.
