1.6 Million Nigerians on HIV Treatment: Fresh Data Shows Viral Suppression Success

Nigeria has achieved a historic breakthrough in its decades-long battle against HIV/AIDS, with 95 per cent of people living with the virus now knowing their status, the National Data Repository (NDR) announced on Wednesday.

The latest figures, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, also show that 95 per cent of those aware of their status – 1,657,173 patients – are receiving antiretroviral treatment across 1,997 health facilities nationwide. Crucially, 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, meaning they cannot transmit the virus to others.

Health experts describe the development as a major step towards the global 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Nigeria, which once bore the second-largest HIV burden in the world, has steadily strengthened its response through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and support from partners like PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

A 10-year trend analysis released by the NDR reveals dramatic progress. New infections peaked at 464,355 in 2020 before falling sharply to just 21,389 in 2026 – a 90.8 per cent drop from 111,513 cases recorded in 2025.

However, the report highlights worrying pockets of new infections. In the last three months, Lagos led with 2,342 fresh cases, followed by Benue (1,956), Rivers (1,185), Akwa Ibom (1,155) and Anambra (1,023). Young women aged 15-34 accounted for the majority of new detections, with females outnumbering males across nearly every age group.

NDR officials said the data will guide targeted interventions in high-burden states and among vulnerable young women. While South-South and South-West regions lead in treatment coverage, the North-West continues to lag behind.

The report underscores Nigeria’s steady march towards an AIDS-free generation, even as health authorities call for sustained funding and community-focused prevention programmes to protect the country’s youth.

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