Nigeria’s health ministry has reiterated its stance on terminating the scourge of HIV and Aids by 2030. Wife to the Nigerian President, said the country has the highest number of HIV/AIDS carriers in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children, women, and other vulnerable groups.
Oluremi Tinubu also announced a tripartite advocacy program to fight out HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis, known for causes of miscarriages, stillbirths, congenital anomalies, liver disease, and infant mortality.
Mrs. Tinubu recently said these at the official launch of the ‘Free to Shine’ Campaign for the country’s South-East region, in the city of Enugu, by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development OAFLAD.The campaign was earmarked for the five geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with the South-East being the last.
The flagging off of the campaign was part of her two-day working visit to Enugu State. She described the initiative as a regional extension of a broader advocacy programme spearheaded by the OAFLAD, targeting the elimination of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis by 2030.
The Free to Shine campaign seeks to prevent new infections, especially mother-to-child transmission, and ensuring that every child born with HIV receives treatment and care, according to a statement issued by the health ministry, through its Director, Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, on Thursday.
According to the health ministry, over 100,000 children and nearly 2 million adults were living with HIV in Nigeria in 2024. A significant number of HIV-positive mothers do not test their infants early, often due to ignorance or lack of awareness, contributing to thousands of avoidable child deaths.
Mrs. Tinubu commended health workers, national agencies like NACA and NASCP, and international partners including WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, PEPFAR, and EGPAF, for their continued support. She urged First Ladies from other states to take ownership of the campaign in their jurisdictions.
The country’s Health Minister of State, for Health said that HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis are preventable and treatable.
Dr. Salako outlined Nigeria’s multi-faceted strategy, including: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), Expanded access to Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP), Increased testing and treatment for other STIs.
While revealing that 1.7 million Nigerians are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with sustained budgetary provisions to ensure drug availability, he said HIV-positive individuals are also integrated into health insurance schemes to access essential tests and long-term care.He said a new data from the NASCP shows that Nigeria is witnessing a steady decline in new HIV infections and vertical transmissions, with projections indicating an even sharper drop by the end of 2025, according to the Ministry.
The Minister called on state governments to increase domestic funding, absorb key health workers, and reduce reliance on dwindling donor support.
The ‘Free to Shine’ Campaign, operating under the Renewed Hope Initiative, continues to mobilize national action through awareness, prevention, and sexual health education. With sustained leadership, local commitment, and community engagement, Nigeria is poised to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2030.