Medical experts are raising the alarm over a troubling rise in new HIV infections across Nigeria, attributing the spike largely to deepening poverty, sharp declines in donor funding, and dwindling public awareness campaigns. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, the country recorded 102,025 new HIV infections in 2025, a figure that specialists fear represents only a fraction of the true burden in Africa’s most populous nation.
Physicians warn that funding shortfalls have severely undermined critical HIV prevention programmes, including testing, counselling, education, and community outreach efforts. This has left many vulnerable populations without adequate support, allowing the virus to spread more easily amid ongoing economic hardships.
Tuberculosis and HIV specialist Dr. Dan Onwujekwe highlighted how worsening poverty is driving risky health-seeking behaviours. Many Nigerians, he noted, now turn to unregistered health facilities where unsafe practices such as the reuse of syringes and needles heighten transmission risks. Everyday activities like sharing sharp instruments in barber shops, salons, and beauty parlours further compound the danger, turning basic survival into potential health hazards.
HIV researcher Dr. Sule Abdullahi echoed these concerns, pointing out that disruptions in donor-supported supplies have led to inconsistent access to life-saving antiretroviral medications. When patients miss doses, their viral loads increase, making transmission to others more likely. He also lamented the significant reduction in HIV prevention campaigns, which had previously helped curb the spread through public education.
Experts are urging the Nigerian government to step up domestic funding to bridge the gap left by retreating international donors. Dr. Abdullahi called on citizens to prioritise safer sexual practices and avoid risky behaviours, emphasising personal responsibility alongside systemic support. As Nigeria grapples with this resurgence, sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and awareness could determine whether the nation reverses years of progress or faces a broader public health crisis.