BREAKING: Rivers, Benue, Akwa Ibom top Nigeria’s HIV prevalence chart

A recent report by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that over 2 million people are living with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus in Nigeria.

The statistics indicate that Rivers, Benue, and Akwa Ibom states have the highest number of cases.

According to the latest estimates, Rivers State has the highest number of people living with HIV, with 208,767 recorded cases, followed closely by Benue State with 202,346 cases, and Akwa Ibom with 161,597 cases.

Lagos State, the country’s commercial capital, has 108,649 cases, while Anambra State has 100,429 cases.

The Federal Capital Territory reported 83,333 cases.

The report also highlighted that an estimated 43,683 people died from HIV-related causes in the past year, with 28,589 being adults and 15,094 children aged 0-14.

This alarming statistic underscores the need for sustained efforts in prevention, testing, and access to treatment.

The Director-General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government has taken proactive measures to mitigate any potential shortage of anti-retroviral  drugs in the country.

The government has approved $1.07 billion to finance healthcare sector reforms and N4.8 billion for HIV treatment.

Dr. Temitope Ilori: NACA Chairman, reaffirms Agency’s commitment to ending the HIV scourge

The Nigerian Senate has also allocated N300 billion to the health sector in the 2025 budget.

These initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the HIV epidemic.

As the country grapples with the challenges posed by the virus, it is essential to recognize the progress made so far.

According to the report, 1,753,425 people living with HIV know their status, and 1,735,808 are on antiretroviral therapy.

A health practitioner, Mrs Ubong Adejobi, in a chat with Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), said the “survey is a significant step towards controlling the spread of the disease.”

“Now that we know the hotspots, efforts must be made to reverse the scourge. We have to encourage more testing to be carried out and treatment done for those that have contracted the virus.

“I always say that HIV is not a death sentence. HIV carriers can live as long as HIV negative persons. It’s all about being treated, and leading a good lifestyle.

“By sustaining efforts in prevention, testing, and treatment, we can reduce the number of new infections and improve the lives of those affected by HIV.”

She called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations, to work together to address the HIV epidemic in Nigeria.

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