After decades of progress driven by a combination of national commitment and international support, Nigeria is preparing for a new chapter in its fight against HIV/AIDS, one that places greater emphasis on local ownership, sustainability and long-term resilience.
That transition took a significant step forward on Thursday with the unveiling of the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) 2026–2030, a framework designed to guide the country's response over the next five years while reducing its reliance on external funding.
Nigeria hosts one of the world's largest HIV treatment programmes and has recorded important gains in reducing new infections and HIV-related deaths. Much of that progress has been supported by global partners, including the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund and UNAIDS. However, concerns over shrinking donor resources have strengthened the case for a more self-sustaining model.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, said the country had reached a defining moment in its HIV response. According to her, the new strategy reflects the reality that a donor-dependent system is no longer sufficient and that Nigeria must increasingly drive and sustain its own programmes.
Developed through extensive consultations involving government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, technical experts, the private sector, persons with disabilities and networks of people living with HIV, the plan seeks to embed HIV interventions more deeply within key sectors such as healthcare, education, youth development, gender and justice. It also places strong emphasis on innovation, including the use of digital health solutions, local manufacturing initiatives and new service-delivery models.
The Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr John Ovuoraye, urged stakeholders to ensure the document becomes a practical tool for action rather than another policy paper. He noted that inclusivity remains central to the strategy, particularly for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Representing the United Nations Joint Team on HIV/AIDS, Dr Doris Ogba described the NSP as an important roadmap for achieving national goals and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Dr Abdulkadri Ibrahim, welcomed the plan, saying it would provide valuable guidance for evidence-based interventions across the country.
As Nigeria works towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the new strategic plan represents a statement of intent, one that reflects the country's determination to protect the gains already achieved while building a stronger, more sustainable HIV response powered increasingly by Nigerian solutions.
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