Lagos State says roughly 160,000 residents are currently living with HIV, a figure disclosed by Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, CEO of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), during a briefing to mark the 2025 World AIDS Day.
Speaking under the theme “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” Animashaun praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the state’s HIV control systems. She noted that his backing has strengthened both health structures and community-based networks.
She, however, admitted that recent interruptions — particularly the US government’s Stop Work Order — dealt a major blow to community outreach programmes, especially those targeting adolescents, key populations, and residents in remote areas.
According to her, the strength of any HIV response depends on how far community engagement reaches, not just what happens in hospitals.
Between January and September 2025, 147,466 people living with HIV in Lagos received antiretroviral treatment, while 222,415 HIV tests were conducted — a sharp decline to just 28.9% of last year’s testing figures due to the disruptions.
The state’s Community HIV Testing Campaign, launched on November 18, has so far screened 9,943 residents, returning a 2% positivity rate, with all positive cases linked to care.
Activities lined up for World AIDS Day include faith-based engagements, awareness walks, a novelty football match, and a symposium aimed at encouraging early detection and strengthening community support.
Animashaun stressed that Lagos must maintain cross-sector collaboration if it intends to keep its HIV response resilient:
“Overcoming disruptions requires everyone — government, communities, and faith groups — working side by side,” she said.