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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the 2025 World AIDS Day event in Abuja, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, rallied the nation to intensify efforts against HIV/AIDS, warning that donor dependency and persistent stigma threaten progress towards an HIV-free Nigeria by 2030.
Tinubu opened her address by noting the theme, “Overcoming Disruptions; Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” and praised national partnerships for progress in prevention, paediatric treatment, and eliminating mother-to-child transmission. “Yet, we must not relent until everyone in need has access to life-saving services. Ending the epidemic requires sustained advocacy, innovation, and especially compassion, including confronting stigma and discrimination. Every Nigerian deserves to live free from judgment and exclusion,” she urged.
The First Lady spotlighted the “Free to Shine” initiative with OAFLAD, targeting triple elimination of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis by 2030. She called for resilience as funding challenges persist. “Nigeria’s HIV response remains largely donor-funded. As global patterns shift, we must ensure sustainability. The Federal Government has proactively approved $200 million to support HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programmes,” she added, noting NACA’s engagement with states for long-term ownership.
She urged collective action under the Renewed Hope Agenda, advocating open dialogue and an end to HIV stigma: “To parents, guardians, and teachers, HIV/AIDS is no longer a disease of shame, but must be openly discussed for prevention and support. Our communities must foster love, acceptance, and support for people living with HIV.”
Tinubu commended Health Minister Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, NACA DG Dr Temitope Ilori, donors, civil society, and traditional leaders, and pledged, “Let us show empathy and renew our pledge to end HIV/AIDS by 2030.”
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Minister of State for Health Iziaq Salako echoed her call, urging intensified support and announcing annual liver and kidney screenings for people with HIV/AIDS, plus reducing the consent age for voluntary testing to 14. He aligned with Tinubu, saying, “HIV/AIDS is no longer a disease of shame… let’s discuss prevention.”
NACA DG Dr Temitope Ilori reported a strong performance—87% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% on treatment achieve viral suppression. She also noted a 46% decline in new infections over the past decade, but said gaps remain: “Testing coverage among pregnant women stands at about 65%; early infant diagnostics is about 56%. Therefore, we still have a long way to go.”
Ilori called Tinubu’s $200-300 million funding “leadership in action” and noted Nigeria’s commitment to increase domestic investment, celebrating campaigns like “Free to Shine” and ongoing advances, such as single-pill regimens and long-acting PrEP.
Head of the Civil Service Didi Walson-Jack praised Nigeria’s workplace policy on HIV/AIDS for safeguarding public officers from discrimination, announcing continued expansion in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to address remaining stigma and access gaps.
