Funke Akindele appointed UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria

NIGERIA— The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has named Funke Akindele, a celebrated Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and director, as its National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria.  

This announcement was made on December 3, 2024, during the World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed M. Malick Fall. 

Akindele’s appointment recognizes her significant contributions to raising awareness about HIV and her dedication to advocacy efforts aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  

Her journey as an advocate began with her role in the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)- sponsored TV series “I Need to Know,” which educated viewers on adolescent reproductive health and HIV. 

Over the years, she has used her influence as a Nollywood star, widely regarded as the “Queen of Box Office,” to spotlight critical social issues.   

With this new role, Funke Akindele will focus on promoting HIV prevention, reducing stigma, and supporting efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. 

Her powerful voice and broad reach will play a vital role in ensuring HIV-related messages are accessible to Nigerians across all regions.   

UNAIDS Nigeria Country Director Dr. Leopold Zekeng expressed his excitement about the partnership, praising Akindele’s ability to inspire positive change. 

He noted that her influence and commitment to social causes make her a strong ally in efforts to support people living with HIV and combat the epidemic.   

Nigeria has made notable progress in the fight against HIV over the past two decades.

By 2023, the number of new HIV infections had declined from 130,000 in 2010 to 75,000, a 42% reduction. 

Furthermore, 1.6 million of the 2 million Nigerians living with HIV are now receiving treatment.  

Despite these achievements, challenges persist, such as stigma, discrimination, and unequal access to services.   

Funke Akindele’s appointment as UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador follows the recent nomination of Moroccan artist OUM for a similar role in Morocco.  

Her advocacy efforts will complement ongoing work by UNAIDS and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to strengthen Nigeria’s HIV response. 

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