Nigeria tested more than five million pregnant women for HIV in 2024—a significant milestone in the nation’s campaign to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, announced this on Monday during activities commemorating World AIDS Day.
She explained that about 26,000 pregnant women who tested positive were promptly placed on treatment, improving their chances of safer pregnancies and drastically reducing the likelihood of transmitting HIV to their babies.
In addition, 23,000 HIV-exposed infants received early infant diagnosis within the first three months of life.
“These numbers show the scale of our commitment to protecting mothers and children,” Ilori said. “However, our HIV testing coverage among pregnant women stands at about 65%, and early infant diagnosis is around 56%. We still have work to do.”World AIDS Day, she noted, provides an opportunity for reflection, solidarity, and renewed commitment to ending HIV globally.
As of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections recorded. Yet, over 29 million people now have access to antiretroviral treatment—a sign of progress driven by global collaboration.
Ilori added that Nigeria, like many nations, has navigated multiple disruptions in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hurdles, and shifts in donor support.
These challenges informed the 2025 theme: “Overcoming Disruptions, Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.”
“These disruptions are real, but they did not break us,” she said. “We strengthened our resolve to build a more self-reliant, sustainable, and homegrown HIV response.”
She highlighted key national achievements, including a drop in adult HIV prevalence to 1.4% and steady progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets.
Nigeria currently stands at 87-98-95, meaning: 87% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% of those who know their status are on treatment, 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression
“This means their viral load is undetectable, and they cannot transmit HIV to others,” she noted.
Nigeria has also recorded a 46% decline in new HIV infections over the past decade, with more people than ever enrolled and retained in care.
“As we celebrate progress, we also recommit ourselves to finishing the job,” Ilori said.
“Every pregnant woman must be tested, every baby protected, and every Nigerian living with HIV supported to live a healthy, productive life.” She concluded.
Reporting by Annabel Nwachukwu