World AIDS Day 2025: Nigeria’s Progress Amid Persistent Challenges
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Despite remarkable gains in treatment and care, HIV remains a significant public health challenge, with an estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide and around 1.3 million new infections recorded in 2024, figures that underscore both progress and persistent threats in the global response.
As the world marks World AIDS Day 2025, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its battle against HIV/AIDS.
This year’s national theme, “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response” reflects the reality of disrupted global funding, shifting international support, and the country’s resolve to safeguard hard-won gains.
Nigeria has registered significant improvements towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets:
87 per cent of people living with HIV now know their status.
98 per cent of those diagnosed are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
These achievements, described by health authorities as “impressive” and “a testament to national commitment”, mean Nigeria is closer than ever to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, despite global economic pressures and fluctuating donor support.
Yet, the fight is far from over. Disruptions in condom distribution and prevention services have been documented, and declines in domestic production of prevention tools highlight the fragility of gains made.
In Nigeria, stigma and discrimination continue to hinder access to testing and care, particularly among marginalised and key populations.
These barriers remain as formidable as ever, dampening efforts to reach those most at risk with life-saving services.
A Medical Practitioner, Amina Coker, said the driving force of the HIV epidemic in Nigeria is people practising low-risk sex, saying that the high-risk groups include female sex workers, men who have sex with men and drug users who use injection.
She noted that these groups of people contribute substantially to new infections.
For another HIV/AIDS prevention advocate, Mr Emmanuel Ekwonna, even though it seems advocacy for safe living is silent in Nigeria, there is a need to remind the citizenry not to let their guard down because HIV/AIDS has not been eradicated.
Mr Ekwonn believes that educating youths about HIV prevention should remain the priority of any government while calling for comprehensive sex education in schools.
Experts stress that education, community engagement, and destigmatisation are indispensable to reducing new infections.
Advocacy groups call for comprehensive sex education in schools, protection of patients’ rights, and empowerment of communities at the grassroots as key pillars in ending the epidemic.
The 2025 World AIDS Day also reminds us that community leadership is critical, a message echoed globally and reflected in renewed partnerships that aim to eliminate stigma and uphold the dignity of people living with HIV.
As Nigeria reflects on its progress this World AIDS Day, the story is one of resilience: progress against the odds, a decade of decline in new infections, and a renewed call for inclusive, community-driven action to ensure that the AIDS epidemic is truly defeated by 2030.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
