Nigeria recorded a total of 102,025 new HIV infections across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, with Lagos State accounting for the highest number of new cases at 10,430, according to data from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025. The data, obtained by PUNCH, provides a state-by-state breakdown of newly recorded HIV infections, highlighting the geographical spread of the epidemic despite years of intensified prevention efforts by the Federal Government and its partners.
Top 10 states with highest new HIV infections
Lagos recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in 2025 with 10,430 cases. Rivers State followed with 6,287 new infections, while Kano recorded 6,106 cases. Akwa Ibom reported 5,413 new infections, Taraba had 4,854, Benue recorded 4,804, and Anambra accounted for 4,468 cases. Kaduna registered 3,659 new infections, while Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 2,989 and 2,764 cases, respectively, completing the list of the 10 states with the highest number of new HIV infections during the year.
Other states with over 2,000 new infections
Other states recording more than 2,000 new infections included Sokoto (2,592), Cross River (2,595), Abia (2,546), Imo (2,537), Delta (2,469), Borno (2,311), Ogun (2,107), Plateau (2,084), Niger (2,020) and Ebonyi (2,015).
States with lowest new infections
At the lower end of the scale were Ekiti with 462 new infections, Bayelsa with 982, Gombe with 1,083, Osun with 1,093, Kwara with 1,371, Enugu with 1,429, Yobe with 1,483, Katsina with 1,541 and Kebbi with 1,572.
The report underscores the persistent challenge of HIV transmission in Nigeria, particularly in urban centers like Lagos and Rivers, despite ongoing prevention campaigns. The data calls for targeted interventions in high-burden states to curb the spread of the virus.
