The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) announced on Friday that an estimated 1.8 million people in Nigeria are currently living with HIV, with approximately 1.63 million already receiving lifesaving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The statement was made by NACA Director-General, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, during a press briefing held in Abuja to mark World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day (WAD), observed annually on December 1, is dedicated to global efforts aimed at preventing new infections, increasing awareness about HIV, supporting individuals living with the virus, and remembering those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Communities: Leadership to End AIDS by 2030.”

In his remarks, Dr. Aliyu emphasized that while Nigeria has made significant progress in combating HIV/AIDS, more work is required to meet the target of eradicating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. He noted that Nigeria bears the second-largest burden of HIV infection worldwide.

“Currently, a total of 1.8 million persons are estimated to be living with HIV in Nigeria, out of which about 1.63 million are already on the lifesaving medication of ART,” he said. Dr. Aliyu highlighted that about 58% of those living with HIV in Nigeria are women, while 42% are men.

One of the key challenges Nigeria faces is its high rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with a national average of 22%, well above the global target. Dr. Aliyu pointed out that Nigeria is responsible for approximately 30% of the global gap in efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Acknowledging the contributions of development partners and the global community in Nigeria’s HIV response, Dr. Aliyu expressed the government’s commitment to meeting the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

He also emphasized the critical role of communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “It is within these communities that we have found resilience, determination, and the will to make a difference,” he said, noting that community leadership spans a wide range of individuals, including policymakers, service providers, religious and traditional leaders, women, youth, and key populations.

Dr. Aliyu called for continued efforts to address the social and structural factors driving the HIV epidemic, emphasizing the need for equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care services for all Nigerians. He urged for the mobilization of community leaders to promote gender-equitable norms and increase the uptake of HIV prevention measures, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

With a strengthened focus on community leadership, NACA remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria achieves its goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.