The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria's fight against HIV, revealing that 95% of Nigerians receiving HIV treatment have achieved viral suppression and can no longer transmit the virus to others.
Nigeria's Impressive HIV Treatment Milestones
Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of NACA, shared these encouraging statistics during a press conference ahead of the 2025 World AIDS Day. The event carries the theme "Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria's HIV Response."
According to Dr. Ilori, Nigeria has maintained remarkable progress toward global HIV targets: 87% of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status, 98% of those who know their status are on life-saving treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
"Nigeria remained firmly on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030," Ilori stated, emphasizing that the country has continued to record important milestones in its HIV response.
Government Intervention and Local Production
The NACA DG highlighted that Nigeria has faced significant challenges in recent years, including disruptions from the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and fluctuating donor support for HIV programs.
Despite these obstacles, Nigeria's HIV response has not faltered but rather adapted and endured. When global funding uncertainties threatened essential services, the Federal Government injected $200 million to ensure uninterrupted delivery of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.
In a move to strengthen national self-reliance, Nigeria is advancing local production of antiretrovirals and other HIV commodities to reduce dependence on imports. The country currently has an adequate supply of anti-retroviral drugs and other essential commodities.
Significant Decline in New Infections
The comprehensive approach to HIV management in Nigeria has yielded substantial results. Dr. Ilori reported that the country has recorded a 46% decline in new HIV infections, and more Nigerians living with HIV are enrolled and retained in care than ever before in the last decade.
Nigeria's performance of 87-98-95 toward the global 95-95-95 targets demonstrates significant progress in diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression across the nation, positioning the country well to overcome HIV as a public health threat.
