An estimated 160,000 people in Lagos State are coping with HIV/AIDS, according to the state government.
During yesterday’s press briefing commemorating World AIDS Day 2025, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency made this information public.
According to The PUNCH, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, the chief executive officer of LSACA, stated that the figures represent the most recent estimations from January to September 2025, when presenting the state’s progress report to journalists in Alausa, Ikeja.
She reported that out of the 160,000 people living with HIV in Lagos State from January to September 2025, 147,466 are receiving antiretroviral medication.
Noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s assistance “strengthens both our health systems and community networks, ensuring that every effort to prevent, detect, and treat HIV is empowered and sustained,” Animashaun praised Sanwo-Olu’s leadership.
According to her, the current situation in Lagos is reflective of the year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.” This is particularly true in light of the fact that community-level HIV interventions were disrupted by the United States Government’s Stop Work Order.
According to previous reports, the US government has severed ties with the innovative UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, which spearheads the worldwide drive to eradicate the public health crisis that is AIDS by 2030 in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
A review of assistance programs to guarantee they are in line with present U.S. foreign policy was mandated by an Executive Order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign AID” that US President Donald Trump issued earlier in January. The order froze all foreign aid for 90 days.
Animashaun claims that the directive greatly reduced the pace of testing and counseling.
Under her caution, she noted, “These pauses in community activities slowed essential interventions, limiting access to testing, counselling, and psychosocial support,” emphasizing that vulnerable groups were more affected.
The state ran 222,415 HIV tests during the reporting period, which is merely 28.9% of last year’s testing output and further evidence of the disruptions’ impact.
This drop “reinforces the need to sustain engagement, early testing, and strong community support,” Animashaun stressed.
Community groups were praised for their quick adaptation and restoration of services, even though there were hiccups.
“Their steadfast dedication has enabled Lagos to reclaim lost steam,” she remarked.
She said that since it started on November 18, the agency’s Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign has tested 9,943 people, yielding a 2.0% positive rate; all of those people have been connected to treatment.
The success of market-based and community-cluster initiatives is demonstrated by the substantial participation of women, especially in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin.
It has been confirmed that HIV is still a public health risk in the state, as “positive cases have been identified across multiple LGAs,” she noted.
World AIDS Day commemoration events, including a Jumat worship, a novelty football match, church outreach, an awareness walk, and a stakeholder conference, were highlighted by Animashaun, who also highlighted the state’s strengthened anti-stigma initiatives.
She hoped that by working together, they might end the HIV response and make Lagos a better, stronger place.
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