Nigeria's 2026 HIV Data: Lagos, Benue, Akwa Ibom Lead New Cases
Nigeria has recorded thousands of new HIV cases between January and March 2026, according to official data released by the National Data Repository and cited by TheCableIndex. The figures reveal significant regional differences and underscore the ongoing public health challenge across the country.
Top States with Highest New HIV Cases
Lagos State leads the list with the highest number of newly tested positive patients, reporting 2,298 cases during the three-month period. Benue State follows closely in second place with 1,949 cases, while Akwa Ibom State ranks third with 1,159 new HIV positive patients.
Several other states also reported substantial numbers, indicating widespread prevalence:
- Rivers: 1,137 cases
- Anambra: 1,013 cases
- Kaduna: 842 cases
- Delta: 803 cases
- Oyo: 763 cases
- Ogun: 751 cases
Moderate and Lower Incidence States
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reported 579 new cases, while Abia recorded 527. Edo, Enugu, and Kano states also featured prominently with 512, 479, and 476 cases respectively. Other states with moderate figures include Kogi (422) and Cross River (396).
Towards the lower end of the spectrum, Sokoto reported 110 cases, Yobe had 100, and Ekiti recorded 129. Zamfara and Jigawa also reported relatively lower numbers with 140 and 177 respectively.
Complete State-by-State Breakdown
- Lagos: 2,298
- Benue: 1,949
- Akwa Ibom: 1,159
- Rivers: 1,137
- Anambra: 1,013
- Kaduna: 842
- Delta: 803
- Oyo: 763
- Ogun: 751
- Plateau: 662
- Imo: 640
- Nasarawa: 615
- Taraba: 605
- FCT: 579
- Abia: 527
- Edo: 512
- Enugu: 479
- Kano: 476
- Kogi: 422
- Cross River: 396
- Niger: 387
- Adamawa: 382
- Ondo: 379
- Kwara: 329
- Osun: 279
- Bayelsa: 264
- Ebonyi: 253
- Gombe: 252
- Borno: 238
- Katsina: 216
- Bauchi: 210
- Kebbi: 196
- Jigawa: 177
- Zamfara: 140
- Ekiti: 129
- Sokoto: 110
- Yobe: 100
Public Health Implications and Global Context
The data highlights the critical need for continued awareness campaigns, testing initiatives, and treatment programs across Nigeria. States with the highest numbers, particularly Lagos and Benue, may require intensified public health interventions to effectively curb the spread of HIV.
This comes against the backdrop of global advancements in HIV prevention. On July 14, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced new guidelines recommending twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention. WHO reported that large trials showed near-complete protection against HIV, including zero infections in one major study and very few in another.
The organization noted that this guidance brings new momentum to prevention efforts that have slowed in recent years, while also raising important questions about access, equity, and delivery readiness in various regions including Nigeria.
The figures from Nigeria's first quarter of 2026 demonstrate that despite global progress, HIV remains a pressing public health issue requiring sustained attention and resources across multiple regions of the country.
