Nigeria meets two of three global 95-95-95 HIV targets, moves closer to Ending AIDS by 2030

NIGERIA—Nigeria has successfully met two of the three global 95-95-95 HIV targets, marking a significant milestone in the country’s effort to combat HIV/AIDS.

This progress was announced by Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), during the World AIDS Day 2025 observance in Abuja.

She emphasized that Nigeria is steadily moving toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Dr. Ilori highlighted that 87% of people living with HIV in Nigeria are aware of their status.

Among those diagnosed, 98% are receiving treatment, and an impressive 95% of patients on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

She described these achievements as a testament to Nigeria’s resilience despite challenges such as global disruptions, economic uncertainty, donor funding fluctuations, and shifts in global health financing.

Over the past decade, Nigeria has seen a 46% decline in new HIV infections.

Progress has also been made in preventing mother-to-child transmission, early infant diagnosis, and pediatric treatment.

However, these areas still need greater attention to reach optimal outcomes.

Dr. Ilori credited collaboration with civil society and community-led organizations for expanding access to testing, prevention, and treatment services, especially for adolescents, young people, and key populations.

In 2024, more than 204,000 members of key populations received antiretroviral therapy, achieving strong viral suppression rates.

Dr. Ilori praised Nigerian states that increased domestic investments through HIV Trust Funds and improved budget commitments.

She also commended President Bola Tinubu for approving USD200 million (about ₦110 billion) to prevent disruptions in HIV services amid uncertain global funding, calling this action a demonstration of leadership and national ownership.

Further advances include integrating HIV services into broader health systems via the ATM-TWG platform and expanding health insurance enrolment for people living with HIV.

Innovations in digital reporting have enhanced data accuracy and accountability.

Nonetheless, Dr. Ilori warned that stigma and discrimination persist.

She also noted Nigeria’s heavy reliance on external funding, the high pediatric HIV burden, and underserved, hard-to-reach areas as ongoing challenges.

Looking ahead, Nigeria plans to increase domestic financing, expand access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), accelerate efforts to end mother-to-child transmission, and strengthen prevention for key and vulnerable groups.

The country is committed to boosting local production of antiretroviral drugs to enhance self-reliance.

Dr. Ilori called for multisectoral collaboration involving health, education, gender, labor, and social protection sectors to maintain progress, urging all levels of government, civil society, and media to help ensure universal access to life-saving HIV services without stigma.

Gabriel Undel Ikwo, representing UNAIDS Nigeria, praised Nigeria’s commitment despite global funding cuts that impact prevention and community-led services.

He highlighted programmatic improvements such as stronger service integration, sustainability efforts, and increased domestic resource mobilization.

He echoed support for President Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health, and NACA’s reforms to secure local financing and maintain treatment access for vulnerable populations.

Ikwo stressed that although progress has been made, AIDS is “not yet over,” and sustained leadership, partnerships, collaboration, and community empowerment are essential for reaching the 2030 goals.

The World Health Organisation’s representative, Mr. Omoniyi Amos, reaffirmed the importance of awareness, solidarity, and remembrance of those lost to HIV and TB co-infections.

 He highlighted this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruptions, Sustaining the Nigerian HIV Response,” as a reflection of ongoing global funding uncertainties.

Mr. Amos applauded Nigeria’s use of data-driven decisions, community-driven efforts, and the upcoming 2026 rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention drug lenacapavir.

He pointed to the government’s allocation of USD4.8 billion for antiretroviral procurement and broader treatment uptake as critical factors behind the notable drop in new infections and deaths.

Dr. Jay Samuels, Deputy CEO of Public Health Initiatives Nigeria (APIN), confirmed his organization’s ongoing support despite global funding challenges.

He emphasized Nigeria’s need to reduce dependency on foreign donors and highlighted APIN’s commitment to local resource mobilization for sustainability.

Dr. Samuels assured continued partnership with the federal government to strengthen national HIV control and address public health threats, helping build a resilient, self-reliant HIV response across Nigeria.