HIV Support Slumps: NACA And Allies Urge Governments To Step Up Now!

The urgent need for Nigeria to take full ownership of its HIV response took center stage as the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), civil society groups, and other stakeholders convened in Lagos amid growing concerns about shrinking international support and shifts in global aid policies, according to iReporter Online.

Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General of NACA, emphasized this point in her welcome address at the opening of the Seventh National Council on AIDS (NCA) Meeting, describing the event as a pivotal moment for the country’s sustainable HIV response.

According to iReporter Online, Dr. Ilori highlighted that Nigeria must urgently adapt its strategies to ensure programmatic and financial sustainability for HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria interventions.

She stressed that dwindling donor funding makes it critical to build domestic capacity, strengthen sub-national systems, and promote multi-sectoral collaboration.

The Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, has already demonstrated commitment by releasing $200 million to address immediate gaps caused by suspended donor support, underscoring Nigeria’s determination to lead its own fight against HIV.

The meeting also featured strong calls from other key stakeholders, with the Lagos State government reiterating its dedication to quality healthcare and multi-sectoral approaches, according to iReporter Online.

The House Committee on HIV/AIDS chairman, Amobi Godwin Ogah, warned that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign aid—currently over 70 percent—was unsustainable, urging a radical shift toward domestic funding and ownership of the response.

Ogah emphasized integrating HIV care into primary healthcare as a strategic imperative and pledged legislative support for increased funding, research, and partnerships essential to ending the epidemic by 2030.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”