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160,000 People Living with HIV in Lagos: A Public Health Reality and the Road Ahead
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest and most populous city, is confronting a major public health challenge as recent data reveals that an estimated 160,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This revelation was made by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) during a press briefing marking World AIDS Day 2025 and reflects the situation between January and September 2025.
Understanding the Numbers
According to LSACA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, of the approximately 160,000 Lagos residents living with HIV, about 147,466 are currently receiving life–saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This treatment not only prolongs lives but also significantly reduces the likelihood of onward transmission when adherence is strong.
Despite these figures, the scale of the epidemic in Lagos remains a public health concern. With just over 222,000 tests conducted in the reporting period — roughly 28.9% of last year’s testing volume — experts are cautioning that many more people may be unaware of their HIV status.
The Impact of Disruptions on HIV Services
Lagos’ HIV response this year faced substantial obstacles. A stop-work directive from the US Government, which affected community–level HIV interventions, hampered outreach, testing, counselling, and psychosocial support services in several areas. These interruptions disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including young adults, key populations at higher risk, and people residing in hard-to-reach communities.
Community-based organisations, often the backbone of HIV outreach, experienced disruptions that slowed essential services. However, many quickly reorganised and adapted, helping to restore vital links between individuals, testing services, and treatment providers.
Mobilising Community Action
In response to these challenges, Lagos State launched a Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign in November 2025. So far, 9,943 residents have been tested, yielding a positivity rate of about 2.0%, and all those diagnosed have been successfully linked to care — a testament to the effectiveness of grassroots outreach efforts.
Young adults aged 20–35 have shown high turnout rates, and women in areas such as Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin are actively participating in testing and prevention efforts. These results highlight the importance of targeted engagement and tailored community mobilisation strategies.
Tackling Stigma and Sustaining Progress
Alongside testing and treatment campaigns, LSACA has intensified efforts to combat HIV-related stigma and misinformation — a persistent barrier that prevents many from seeking testing or care. Sensitisation campaigns now extend into markets, schools, religious institutions, and traditional community spaces, aiming to make HIV education part of everyday life across Lagos.
Looking Forward: Strengthening the HIV Response
Government officials, health practitioners, and community advocates agree that sustaining and expanding HIV services in Lagos requires collective action. Key priorities include:
• Strengthening community outreach to reach populations who remain untested or untreated.
• Boosting HIV testing volume to capture more people living with HIV earlier, a critical step in reducing transmission.
• Ensuring consistent treatment adherence for those living with HIV, to achieve viral suppression and improve health outcomes.
• Expanding anti-stigma education to encourage people to seek testing and care without fear of discrimination.
Conclusion
The report that 160,000 Lagos residents are living with HIV underscores the continued relevance of HIV as a public health concern in Nigeria’s largest city. While progress has been made, especially with high treatment enrolment and innovative community campaigns, disruptions in services highlight the fragility of gains and the importance of resilient, community-centred health systems. With sustained commitment from government, civil society, and community leaders, Lagos can continue to scale up testing, treatment, and prevention — moving closer to the goal of controlling the HIV epidemic.
Attached is a news article regarding 160,000 Nigerian living with HIV in Lagos
https://guardian.ng/features/health/lagos-reveals-160000-residents-living-with-hiv/
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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