In a major push to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has revealed plans to support domestic production of critical HIV commodities—including test kits and antiretroviral drugs—by the end of 2025.
Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Pediatrics ART Acceleration Committee on Friday, Ilori emphasized that locally producing these life-saving commodities would be a game-changer in Nigeria’s goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
For years, Nigeria has relied heavily on international donors for HIV treatment and prevention programs. But recent global funding uncertainties have highlighted the urgent need for self-sufficiency in healthcare resources.
Ilori’s announcement comes amid growing concerns over donor dependence. She acknowledged recent anxiety surrounding the 90-day suspension of foreign aid, clarifying that while HIV services remain exempt, the situation serves as a wake-up call.
“This underscores the need for government-led sustainability efforts. We cannot afford to rely solely on external funding,” she stated.
Despite progress in HIV prevention and treatment, children remain highly vulnerable.
According to UNAIDS 2023 reports:
140,000 children (ages 0-14) are currently living with HIV in Nigeria.
22,000 new infections occur annually.
15,000 children die from AIDS-related complications each year.
PMTCT and pediatric HIV treatment coverage remain below 33%—far from the 95% global target.
“Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation is within reach, and no child should be born HIV-positive in Kwara State—or anywhere in Nigeria,” Ilori declared.
The newly inaugurated Kwara PMTCT and Pediatric ART Acceleration Committee is part of a broader national strategy to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Key measures include:
Expanding health insurance coverage for people living with HIV.
Mobilizing state-level resources to ensure sustainable funding.
Supporting vaccine research and innovation.
Strengthening advocacy efforts for HIV awareness and treatment.
Kwara State, with an HIV prevalence of 0.8% (below the national average of 1.4%), still faces disparities—women are disproportionately affected (1.3%) compared to men (0.4%). Targeted interventions in high-burden communities are essential to further reducing these numbers.
Ilori urged all stakeholders—government bodies, development partners, and healthcare professionals—to actively support the nationwide acceleration of pediatric HIV treatment.
“We must develop a comprehensive list of children of HIV-positive clients and ensure they receive the care they need. The time for action is now,” she said.
