Nigeria has introduced a new National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) for 2026 to 2030. This plan aims to shift from relying on donor support to a government-led response to HIV/AIDS.
The plan was launched on Thursday in Abuja. It comes at a time when external funding is decreasing. There are also increasing calls for Nigeria to take more responsibility for its health system, especially when it comes to long-term HIV treatment.
Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), spoke at the launch. She said Nigeria’s response to HIV has reached a crucial point that needs a fresh approach based on new realities.
Ms Ilori highlighted that Nigeria has made significant strides over the last twenty years. There have been fewer new infections and better access to treatment. But she pointed out that the changing global and financial landscape requires a new strategy.
She explained that this strategic plan is a shift rather than a complete replacement of the old framework. It aligns Nigeria’s response with new evidence and global priorities.
“This new Strategic Plan reflects lessons learned from implementation, new evidence from the National HIV Estimates and the need to reposition the response in a rapidly changing global environment,” she said.
Shift to local control
Ms Ilori mentioned that the decline in external funding and scattered programme structures mean Nigeria must adopt a model that is led and owned by the government.
She stated that the NSP focuses on integrating HIV services into the national systems. This includes health, education, youth development, gender, and justice sectors.
The plan was created after extensive consultations. These involved government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, private sector players, and community networks.
“This Strategic Plan calls on all stakeholders to renew their commitment and work collectively to achieve a resilient, equitable, and sustainable HIV response for Nigeria,” she said.
Framework
Mariam Ezekwe, NACA’s Deputy Director of Policy, Planning and Coordination, presented the framework. She stated that Nigeria’s HIV response is at a critical stage. There are notable achievements but also persistent gaps that need fixing.
Ms Ezekwe noted that while there have been significant gains in cutting infections and broadening access to treatment, the next step must focus on sustainability and better system integration.
She described the current situation, noting that Nigeria has made progress but still faces financial and service delivery challenges.
“Fifty-two per cent reduction in new infections since 2010, and just about 80 per cent of People Living with HIV/AIDS know their status in 2025,” she said.
“These are the latest data from the Spectrum estimate. And currently, we have about 1,985,284 people living with HIV/AIDS.”
She added that the NSP emphasizes funding through legislation, expanding health insurance, and integrating HIV services into primary healthcare.
Private sector, faith groups seek deeper integration
During a panel discussion on local funding and sustainability, participants called for stronger involvement from the private sector. They also urged expanded insurance coverage and formal inclusion of faith-based organizations in the national response.
Opeyemi Yekini, representing the Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCCA), stressed that private sector actors should be seen as co-owners of the HIV response, not just contributors.
Mr Yekini pointed out that businesses see that workforce health affects productivity and economic stability.
Tajudeen Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), said Nigeria’s strategy goes beyond enrolling people living with HIV into health insurance. It also includes strengthening systems that can sustain HIV funding when donor support decreases.
He noted that governments are already allocating resources to HIV programs. But poor tracking makes it hard to know the full impact of these investments.
He said that improving financial accountability is crucial to showing country ownership and ensuring resources are used wisely.
“There are several mechanisms we are currently using to fund health, and these mechanisms need to be properly tracked. As part of Global Fund support to the country, we are investing in strengthening our public financial management system,” he said.
Emmanuel Okechukwu, co-chair of the Nigeria Interfaith Coalition on AIDS (NIFCOB-AIDS), called for the formal integration of faith-based groups into the national HIV response.
He said faith institutions have played a key role in offering care and support, especially at the community level.
“The faith-based community is asking for integration, both in policy and programming. If you want to achieve universal health coverage, you must reach the grassroots to provide the healthcare communities need,” he said.
System integration by 2030
The NSP for 2026 to 2030 sets a long-term goal of removing separate HIV programs. It aims to embed these efforts within regular government systems.
NACA mentioned that implementing the plan will rely more on local funding, improved health insurance systems, digital health growth, and coordinated accountability across sectors.
By 2030, Nigeria hopes to maintain HIV control through systems that are fully owned and funded at both national and local levels.
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