Nigeria is making significant progress in its fight against HIV/AIDS, with 1.6 million of the estimated 2 million Nigerians living with the virus now receiving treatment, according to Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). Speaking ahead of the 2024 World AIDS Day, Ilori emphasized the urgency of tackling mother-to-child transmission and achieving an AIDS-free Nigeria by 2030.
Despite advancements, challenges persist. Ilori revealed that about 160,000 children under 14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths annually. Paediatric HIV treatment coverage remains at just 33%, far below the 95% target. To address this, NACA has launched the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children, backed by advocacy efforts from the Minister of Health and the establishment of state-level committees.
Sustainability in the HIV response is critical, Ilori stressed, as donor funding declines. “We are co-creating a roadmap to secure the gains we’ve made and maintain health and social stability,” she said. The Country Director of UNAIDS, Leo Zekeng, called for increased domestic funding, urging collaboration between the government and private sector to maximize available resources.
Ogun State is also stepping up its efforts. Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, disclosed that 30,350 residents are currently receiving HIV treatment, including children who make up 2% of this population. The state has expanded treatment sites from 22 to 43 and introduced MPIMA machines for early infant HIV diagnosis. Mentor mothers have been engaged across the state to support adherence to treatment.
Coker noted that Ogun State is advancing toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 76% of diagnosed individuals on treatment, and 83% achieving viral suppression. However, she stressed the need to address social factors like poverty, stigma, and gender inequality, which exacerbate the spread of HIV.
As World AIDS Day approaches with the theme “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children,” government officials and health experts are calling for increased public awareness and funding. Special Adviser Kayode Akinmade urged the media to play an active role in educating the public, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to end HIV/AIDS by 2030.