The Federal and State Governments of Nigeria have restated their commitment to ensuring the sustainability of HIV programs and advancing the national response to the epidemic.
This was emphasized during a national-state engagement meeting held in Abuja on Monday.
Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Temitope Ilori, stressed the need to redefine the approach to HIV program sustainability.
He underscored that Nigeria cannot effectively tackle the HIV epidemic from a national level alone, highlighting the importance of collaboration across all levels of government.
“There is no way we can solve the HIV problem at the national level without the involvement of states, local governments, and wards. Sub-national stakeholders are critical to this plan, and we must adopt a new business model to sustain the response,” Ilori said.
He pointed out that, for the past two decades, Nigeria’s HIV response has heavily relied on donor support, which has reduced the visibility and engagement of government structures. Ilori called for greater involvement of all levels of government in the HIV response, noting that there is no reason for any child to be born with HIV under the currently available technology and resources.
The UNAIDS Country Director, Leo Zekeng, also spoke at the meeting, acknowledging the progress made in the global and national HIV response.
He noted a significant decline in AIDS-related deaths and new infections, along with the establishment of strategic government structures. However, Zekeng emphasized the need for Nigeria to take ownership of the HIV response to ensure long-term sustainability.
“The challenge now is how to transfer responsibilities from external partners to local institutions. Sustainability doesn’t mean development partners are leaving; local governments and communities must play a greater role in sustaining programs with increased domestic resources,” Zekeng explained.
Executive Secretary of the Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, Dr. Alabi Babajide, echoed the need for a comprehensive HIV sustainability plan.
He highlighted the importance of aligning efforts across stakeholders to develop a national roadmap that can be adapted to the unique needs of sub-national regions.
The meeting reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to achieving HIV control targets by 2030, ensuring that the government at all levels fully engages in the response and sustaining efforts through enhanced local ownership and resources.
