FG restates commitment to ending AIDS by 2030

The Federal Government on Tuesday restated its commitment to achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, made this statement at an event to commemorate World AIDS Day, with the theme “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children, and End AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.”

World AIDS Day is observed globally on December 1st to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and to honour the lives affected by the epidemic.

Salako stated, “This administration, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. We are determined to sustain the response where no child is left behind.

“With a current HIV prevalence of 1.4 per cent in the general population and an estimated 2 million people living with HIV, it is critical for us to evolve the response to meet the needs of vulnerable groups. I am pleased to announce that we have taken a step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS by ensuring HIV is fully integrated into the sector-wide approach (SWAp), which will help ensure that all resources are aligned with our national health priorities. This will continue to lead the HIV response with full government ownership and accountability.

“Today, I call on state governments, the private sector, and community leaders to ‘take the right path’ by scaling up interventions aimed at preventing HIV transmission among children. Our strategy must be holistic — addressing the social, cultural, and economic barriers that hinder access to healthcare services for women and children.”

Popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele also pledged to intensify her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with a focus on awareness, stigma reduction, and access to treatment.

Akindele, who was appointed as National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, emphasised her commitment to addressing critical issues, including preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring no child is born with HIV.

She highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to tackling the epidemic, particularly in Nigeria, where over 160,000 children live with HIV.

The GWA pledged to partner with national and international organisations, including the Federal Government, to strengthen strategies, enhance public awareness through digital campaigns, and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

“With hope and determination, I pledge to contribute meaningfully toward ending HIV/AIDS as a global health threat,” she said.

The UNAIDS Country Representative, Leo Zekeng, noted that Nigeria has made significant strides in the fight against HIV over the past two decades.

“As of 2023, approximately 2 million people are living with HIV in the country, with an adult prevalence rate of 1.3 per cent among individuals aged 15–49. Nigeria recorded approximately 130,000 new HIV infections in 2010.

“By 2023, this number had declined to about 75,000 new infections, representing a reduction of approximately 55,000 cases, or a 42.3 per cent decrease over the 13 years.

“The country has also achieved notable progress in treatment access, with 1.6 million out of the 2 million people living with HIV in Nigeria currently on treatment,” Zekeng said.

However, he noted that despite the advancements, challenges remain, including addressing stigma and discrimination and ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment services across all regions. He called for sustained and sustainable efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health threat by 2030.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Temitope Ilori, noted that World AIDS Day serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV and the need for sustained action, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations such as children.

“This year, we are placing special emphasis on stopping AIDS among children and raising consciousness on sustainability and ownership of the HIV response,” Ilori said.

She urged collective efforts to scale up prevention services, expand antenatal care, and address social barriers, saying,

“We must eliminate mother-to-child transmission by ensuring timely and quality care for women and children.”

“Key milestones include launching the PMTCT and Paediatric Acceleration Committee, initiating local production of HIV-related commodities, and strengthening data management,” she added. “Publishing Nigeria’s HIV data through UNAIDS for the first time in three years reinforces a commitment to transparency and evidence-based interventions.”

While acknowledging challenges such as dwindling donor funding and HIV-related stigma, the DG called for renewed partnerships and inclusive policies, saying, “Let us create an environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to seek care without rejection or exclusion.”