The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has reported that Nigeria witnessed a staggering 77,000 new HIV infections and 43,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2022.
The revelation was made by Doris Ogbang, the National Programme Officer of UNAIDS, during the World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja.
Ogbang highlighted the demographic breakdown of the new infections, stating, “60% of the new HIV infections in Nigeria were females, 40% were males, 29% were children, and 17% were young people aged 15-24 years.”
The total number of people living with HIV in Nigeria reached 1.9 million, with 92% being adults and 8% children.
The global scenario portrayed by Ogbang indicated that approximately 1.3 million new HIV infections occurred in 2022, with a gender distribution of 46% female and 54% male.
Addressing the issue, she stressed the urgent need to end inequalities, combat stigma and discrimination, and prioritize HIV prevention, integration, and the sustainability of responses.
The UNAIDS Country Representative, Dr. Leo Zekeng, emphasized the pivotal role of communities in leading the HIV response in the country.
Represented by the Senior Strategic Information Adviser, Zekeng underscored the effectiveness of community-led responses over the past four decades.
This recognition is reflected in the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, dedicated to communities.
Zekeng disclosed that the UN joint team in Nigeria, consisting of 11 agencies, has developed a joint plan to support the AIDS response from 2024 to 2025.
To actualize this plan, they have mobilized $800,000, highlighting the commitment to addressing the HIV crisis in the country.
