WAD MAIN EVENT AT THE BANQUET HALL

The 2025 World AIDS Day (WAD) main event took place at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja with the theme: “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.” The event was graced by key figures including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and the Wife of the Vice President, Haj. Nana Shettima. They were joined by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Adekunle Salako, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Daju Kachollom, and the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, Executive Director and CEO of Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA); Dr. Muyi Aina, The National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Program (NASCP); Dr. Adebobola Bashorun and other partners In her welcome address, Dr. Temitope acknowledged the formidable challenges the nation has faced from the global pandemic and economic uncertainty to fluctuating donor support. She stated: “These disruptions were real. They had implications. But they did not break us. Instead, they strengthened our resolve to build a more self-reliant, sustainable, and home-grown HIV response.” She highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable performance, demonstrating significant progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets:

87% of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status.
98% of those who know their status are on life-saving treatment.
95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

This effort has resulted in a 46% decline in new HIV infections in the last decade. Significant strides were also noted in preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV:

In 2024, 5,189,353 pregnant women were tested for HIV.
26,566 positive women were immediately placed on antiretroviral treatment.
23,561 HIV-exposed babies received Early Infant Diagnosis (EID).

The NACA DG reinforced the commitment to comprehensive maternal health, noting that 100% of pregnant women tested for syphilis in the last year received treatment. The fight against HIV is being strengthened by both scientific innovation and national financial commitment:

Scientific Breakthrough: The spotlight was on the new, twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention. Dr. Temitope recounted the historic announcement at the UN General Assembly where, through the efforts of partners like The Clinton Health Access Initiative and The Gates Foundation, the price of this breakthrough tool was dramatically reduced from $28,000 USD to as little as $40 USD per person per year.
Federal Government Intervention: Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, the Federal Government injected $200 million to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of HIV services and combat allied infections.
“Free to Shine” Campaign: The First Lady’s championing of the Office of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) Free to Shine Campaign advocates for the triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B among adolescent girls and women.

Goodwill messages from partners like UNAIDS, USG, and the Global Fund unanimously underscored the critical importance of domestic resource mobilization to sustain Nigeria’s progress in the HIV response. The event featured a crucial panel discussion on HIV Financing and Domestic Resource Mobilization, emphasizing the need to leverage existing national resources and structures. A second panel focused on HIV Frontier for Health Security: Leveraging Lanacapavir Innovation. In closing, all stakeholders, government, civil society, donor agencies, and communities were urged to renew their resolve and unite in purpose and action for an AIDS-f

WAD MAIN EVENT AT THE BANQUET HALL

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