Director General, Dr Temitope Ilori National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) says Nigeria should urgently take full ownership of its HIV response in the face of declining international supports and shifting global aid policies.
Ilori made the call on Tuesday in Lagos while delivering her welcome address at the opening ceremony of the Seventh National Council on AIDS (NCA) Meeting, the highest policy-making and coordinating platform for HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three -day council meeting has the theme: “Advancing National HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid”.
Ilori described Lagos as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and qualities which remained vital to the country’s pursuit of a sustainable HIV response.
Highlighting the changing global development landscape, Ilori noted that Nigeria must urgently adapt its strategies to ensure programmatic and financial sustainability for HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria interventions.
According to her, dwindling development assistance makes it imperative to build domestic capacity, strengthen sub-national systems, and harness multi-sectoral collaboration.
“The 2025 NCA meeting is more than a routine gathering; it is a pivotal moment for reflection, realignment, and renewed action, as the theme is not only timely but essential,” she said.
She revealed that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has demonstrated commitment to HIV sustainability by releasing 200 million dollars to address immediate gaps and mitigate risks posed by suspension of some donor support.
Ilori also announced that Nigeria is currently piloting the National HIV, TB, and Malaria Sustainability Plan in seven states—AkwaIbom, Ebonyi, Anambra, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, and Lagos—with support from UNAIDS and the Global Fund, and with plans for nationwide scale-up.
