The government of Lagos State has revealed that no fewer than 160,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV.
This was disclosed by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency during its World AIDS Day 2025 press briefing held on Thursday.
The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, during the presentation of the state’s progress report before journalists at Alausa, Ikeja, noted that the figures is an estimates from January to September 2025.
“As of January to September 2025, Lagos State currently has an estimated 160,000 residents living with HIV, of whom 147,466 persons are on antiretroviral treatment,” she said.
Animashaun commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government, noting that his support “strengthens both our health systems and community networks, ensuring that every effort to prevent, detect, and treat HIV is empowered and sustained.”
She explained that this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” shows the realities faced in Lagos, especially since the US government ordered a Stop Work.
The order which disrupted community-level HIV interventions came in March when the United States Government terminated its agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, an innovative joint venture of the UN family which leads the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In January, US President Donald Trump, issued an Executive Order called “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign AID” ordering a 90-day freeze of all foreign aid pending a review of assistance efforts to ensure alignment with current U.S. foreign policy.
Animashaun noted on Thursday that the order significantly slowed essential interventions, limiting access to testing, counselling, and psychosocial support.
During the reporting period, the state conducted 222,415 HIV tests, representing just 28.9 per cent of last year’s testing output, further highlighting the impact of the disruptions.
Animashaun noted that the agency’s ongoing Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign, which began on November 18, has tested 9,943 residents, with a 2.0 per cent positivity yield, and they have all been linked to care.
“Women are showing strong participation, particularly in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin, demonstrating the success of market-based and community-cluster strategies.
“Positive cases have been identified across multiple LGAs, confirming that HIV remains a disease of public health concern in the state,” she added.
