• We’re making strides but more work remains, say Fed Govt, stakeholders
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to fellow citizens in all spheres of life to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s renewed commitment to ending HIV/AIDS in the country by 2030.
The First Lady said national unity and collective responsibility are essential to achieving the target.
Speaking at the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu noted that the day offered “an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment”.
In commemoration of this year’s event, with the theme: Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response, the Federal Government said the country is making significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but some gaps remain to be closed.
The First Lady stressed that Nigeria must not lose momentum after years of notable progress in prevention, treatment, and care.
Despite gains recorded in partnership with global donors, she warned that stigma and discrimination remain strong barriers, urging Nigerians to “confront the judgment and exclusion that still surrounds HIV/AIDS,” and ensure every affected person is treated with dignity.
Senator Tinubu highlighted recent strides under the national HIV response, including prioritising the elimination of vertical transmission, expanding paediatric treatment, and strengthening long-term sustainability.
She noted that with robust support from the Global Fund, the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP) had made “significant progress,” especially in protecting mothers and children.
She also spotlighted the Free to Shine campaign, launched nationwide this year through the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), which promotes the triple elimination of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis by 2030.
According to her, the initiative reinforces Africa’s political will to safeguard women and children through early testing, timely treatment, and stigma reduction.
“We are moving steadily towards the global target of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B by 2030,” Mrs. Tinubu said, stressing that integration of health services and efficient resource use had boosted results.
The First Lady cautioned that Nigeria’s HIV response remained heavily donor-dependent, making sustainability a crucial concern as international funding patterns shift.
She welcomed the Federal Government’s proactive approval of $200 million to support HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programmes.
Mrs. Tinubu announced that the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) had begun deeper engagements with state governments to ensure “long-term ownership and continuity” of interventions.
Calling for national solidarity, the First Lady said: “As we move forward, I call on all Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his commitment to achieving an HIV-free Nigeria by 2030.”
She hailed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Director-General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori; NASCP; development partners; civil society groups; and traditional and religious leaders for sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.
Mrs. Tinubu also appealed directly to families, teachers, and young people, stressing the need for open conversations and responsible health behaviour.
“HIV/AIDS is no longer a disease of shame. To our young people, take responsibility for your health—get tested and know your status. To our communities, let us foster a culture of love, acceptance, and support,” she said.
Reaffirming her optimism, the First Lady said Nigeria must continue to show empathy, compassion, and resilience as it works towards “ending HIV/AIDS by 2030”.
Also, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated that Nigeria has surpassed UNAIDS targets, with 98 per cent of the people living with HIV now placed on treatment and 95 per cent achieving viral suppression.
“We have surpassed UNAIDS target by putting 98 per cent of Nigerians LWHA on treatment, met the second target of 95 per cent viral suppression and on the way to ensuring that at least 95 per cent of Nigerians with HIV knows their status.
“Expanded pre-exposure prophylaxis, integrated HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and reproductive health services, and reduced consent age for testing from 18 to 14 are helping close gaps in service access,” Salako said.
Also, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, highlighted national and global statistics to underline the agency’s achievements and challenges.
Ilori said: “Today, 40.8 million people are living with HIV worldwide, with 1.3 million new infections occurring in 2024. Yet, through collective global action, more than 29 million people globally are now accessing life-saving antiretroviral treatment, stigma is being challenged, and the vision of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is within reach.”
The NACA boss underscored the relevance of the theme, saying it showed the country’s resolve to maintain progress, despite the pandemic, economic challenges, and changing donor support.
She said: “These disruptions were real. They had implications. But they did not break us. They strengthened our resolve to build a more self-reliant and sustainable HIV response.
“Nigeria has made notable progress in prevalence reduction. HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 now stands at 1.3 per cent, down from 2.8 per cent, with about 1.9 million Nigerians living with the virus.
“The country has performed strongly towards global 95-95-95 targets. Eighty-seven per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status; 98 per cent of those who know their status are on treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
“New infections have fallen by 46 per cent over the past decade, while enrolment and retention in care continue to rise.
“Maternal and child health milestones are also significant. In 2024, 5,189,353 pregnant women (expectant mothers) were tested for HIV, with 26,566 testing positive and immediately placed on treatment.
“Additionally, 23,561 HIV-exposed infants received early diagnosis within two months. Ilori acknowledged remaining gaps, including 65 per cent HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 63 per cent PMTCT coverage, and 56 per cent early infant diagnosis coverage.”
Ilori said efforts were ongoing to close the gaps.
“One hundred per cent of pregnant women tested for syphilis in the last year received treatment, while 13 per cent were tested for Hepatitis B,” she said.
Breakthroughs in HIV prevention have improved access, the NACA boss announced.
Ilori said the price of a twice-yearly injectable has reduced to as low as $40.
She said: “This is what global solidarity looks like. This is what innovation in the service of humanity achieves.”
Financial sustainability remains central to Nigeria’s response, Ilori noted, praising the Global Fund’s $11.34 billion replenishment and the United States’ strategy to sustain funding during the transition to domestic ownership.
She also highlighted the Federal Government’s $200 million intervention to maintain uninterrupted HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.
