160,000 Residents Living With HIV – Lagos Govt.

The Lagos State Government has revealed that at least 160,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, based on its latest figures covering January to September 2025.

The disclosure was made during the World AIDS Day 2025 press briefing held on Thursday by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, LSACA, in Alausa, Ikeja.

Presenting the state’s progress report, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, stated that the updated statistics represent the current estimates for the year.

She said, “Between January and September 2025, Lagos recorded an estimated 160,000 people living with HIV. Of this number, 147,466 individuals are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.”

Animashaun commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what she described as unwavering support for Lagos State’s HIV response, explaining that the governor’s commitment has continued to reinforce both the health system and the community structures responsible for prevention, testing, and treatment services.

While addressing the 2025 theme, ‘Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,’ she noted that the message reflects the significant challenges Lagos has experienced this year, especially following the Stop Work Order issued by the United States Government, which disrupted HIV interventions at the community level.

It will be recalled that in March, the U.S. Government ended its partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the organisation leading global efforts to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The decision was taken after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order in January titled “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid,” which placed a 90-day freeze on all foreign assistance to allow the U.S. to reassess its aid commitments.

According to Animashaun, this directive had an immediate impact on Lagos State’s HIV response.

She stated, “The suspension of community activities slowed down key services, restricting access to testing, counselling, and psychosocial support,” adding that those most vulnerable were the worst affected.

From January to September 2025, Lagos conducted 222,415 HIV tests, which represents only 28.9 per cent of the number recorded the previous year. She described the figure as a sharp fall that clearly demonstrates the extent of the disruption.

She emphasised that the drop “highlights the urgent need to maintain strong community engagement and encourage early testing.”

Despite these difficulties, she praised community-based organisations for their swift adaptation, which enabled the restoration of vital services.

She stated, “Their resilience has helped the state recover lost ground.”

Providing updates on the ongoing Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign, which commenced on 18 November, Animashaun reported that 9,943 residents have so far been tested, with a positivity rate of 2.0 per cent. She confirmed that everyone who tested positive has been successfully connected to care.

She also mentioned a strong turnout from women, particularly in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin, attributing the results to targeted outreach in marketplaces and densely populated community clusters.

According to her, “Positive cases continue to be identified across several local government areas, reaffirming that HIV remains a significant public health issue in Lagos State.”

Animashaun further highlighted the expansion of anti-stigma programmes across the state and outlined the activities scheduled for the World AIDS Day celebration. These activities include a Jumat service, a novelty football match, church engagement, an awareness walk, and a stakeholder symposium.

She called on residents to continue supporting the state’s efforts.

“With collective effort, we can strengthen the HIV response and build a healthier Lagos,” she said.