The Sokoto State Government has announced that it has achieved the 95-95-95 HIV/AIDS control target—covering diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression—marking a major milestone in the state’s fight against the epidemic.
Kabiru Umar, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Leprosy (SOSACAT), disclosed this on Monday during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration in Sokoto.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with SOSACAT, featured an enlightenment campaign, road walk, and distribution of food items to people living with HIV to promote awareness and encourage participation in prevention efforts.
World AIDS Day, marked annually on December 1, aims to educate the public about HIV/AIDS and honor those who have died from the disease.
Umar said the 2025 theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reflects renewed hope for Sokoto State and all persons affected by HIV, noting that progress has been made despite past disruptions.
“As an agency mandated to enlighten, prevent, control, and support HIV/AIDS treatment, we have diligently achieved the 95-95-95 target—ensuring people know their status, access treatment, and maintain suppressed viral loads,” he said.
He added that the achievement demonstrates the sustained commitment of Governor Ahmed Aliyu to building a healthier society. Umar urged residents to priorities HIV testing, adopt protective behaviors, and reject discrimination against people living with HIV.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Dr. Bello Marnona, Special Adviser on Primary Health Care Development, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and pledged to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people living with HIV.
Chairman of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Kabiru Dauda, also reiterated lawmakers’ readiness to strengthen legal frameworks supporting HIV/AIDS management and encouraged patients to remain adherent and productive.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, represented by Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Dingyadi, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to quality healthcare delivery and sustaining the fight against HIV/AIDS across the state.
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said his administration remained committed to ownership and sustainability of the HIV response, regardless of external disruptions. He spoke during the state’s World AIDS Day commemoration, themed “Overcoming Disruptions, Sustaining HIV Response in Nigeria.”
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Kaletafwa Farauta, Fintiri said the state procured 34,000 HIV and syphilis test kits and implemented interventions to bridge service gaps, ensuring continued access to essential testing, particularly for pregnant women and key populations.
“This proactive step demonstrates our commitment to the sustainability of the HIV response,” he said, urging stakeholders to remain united and focused on eliminating the disease.
Dr. Boniface Gundiri, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS, said no fewer than 40,000 people living with HIV were currently on treatment in the state, with 93 per cent achieving viral suppression.
He said the state recorded about 400 HIV-related deaths in 2024, while new infections dropped from 2,007 between January and October 2024 to 1,267 in the same period of 2025.
Gundiri added that HIV prevalence in Adamawa declined from 2.5 per cent in 2014 to 1.1 per cent, reflecting the impact of government policies, community engagement, and targeted interventions over the years.
Muriel Mafico, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), assured continued support for Nigeria in sustaining HIV prevention, especially for adolescent girls and young women.
Represented by Dr. Danladi Idriss, UNFPA Programme Officer in Adamawa, Mafico said collaborative efforts by governments, international partners, activists, and communities have saved nearly 27 million lives and strengthened the response nationwide.
“Now, we must come together and finish the work we know can succeed, aiming for an AIDS-free future,” he said.
In her remarks, Lami Fintiri, wife of the Adamawa governor, emphasized the importance of collaboration and sustained support for HIV prevention. She also donated food and non-food items to vulnerable people living with HIV.
