The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has warned that persistent stigma continues to undermine Nigeria’s battle against HIV, despite millions needing sustained treatment and support.
The Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, made the assertion in Lagos on Tuesday at a Zero Stigma Sensitization Campaign Against Discrimination of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The Director-General was represented by Raheem Mohammed, South West Zonal Coordinator at NACA.
The sensitization programme, organized by NACA, was held in collaboration with GEDERITE Nigeria Ltd., the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), and the Improved Sexual Health and Right Advocacy Initiative (ISHRAI).
The Zero Stigma Campaign reflects a coordinated effort by government and partners to create safer, more inclusive environments for people living with HIV and to support Nigeria’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Ilori stated: “Stigma remains a significant barrier in our national and state efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, which is critical to achieving epidemic control.”
According to her, Nigeria has 1.9 million people living with HIV, while Lagos State alone accounts for over 1.3 million cases.
“Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial and population hub, remains a critical priority in the national HIV response.”
Available data, she noted, indicate that Lagos State has a prevalence rate of over 1.3%, translating into significant numbers of persons requiring sustained prevention, treatment, and support services.
Ilori explained that Ikeja, as an administrative and economic hub, attracts a large, mobile, and diverse population, making sustained awareness creation on stigma and discrimination extremely important.
She said stigma continues to deter people from seeking care and support due to fear of rejection, loss of employment, and social exclusion.
She stressed that early testing and consistent treatment can suppress the virus and halt transmission.
Ilori noted that the campaign would be replicated in other local government areas this year, including Ikeja and Alimosho.
According to her, the aim is to promote accurate knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, encourage acceptance and inclusion of people living with HIV, strengthen community support systems, and improve uptake of HIV testing, treatment, and related services.
Calling for a broad coalition, the NACA Director-General urged communities, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, the media, families, and caregivers to provide adequate support in the fight against stigma and discrimination.
Also speaking, the CEO of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Folakemi Animashaun, said Lagos State is revising its 2007 law protecting people living with HIV to close existing gaps in protection.
According to her, stigma and discrimination persist across society despite the existing legislation.
“The review aims to strengthen legal protection, align the law with current best practices, and further safeguard against discrimination.”
Animashaun added that legislation must support wider public health efforts.
“Stigma does not only occur within health facilities. It happens in our workplaces, schools, markets, motor parks, places of worship, and even within families.”
She called on government agencies, employers, service providers, and community leaders to demonstrate zero tolerance for stigma in their daily actions by ensuring open, non-discriminatory services and using respectful language.
“With this campaign, we are sending a clear message: Discrimination against people living with HIV has no place in our society. HIV is not a death sentence.”
Ms Monica Obi, representing the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria (Lagos State chapter) and the Association of Women Living with HIV in Lagos, called for an end to HIV-related stigma.
She noted that discrimination was driving pregnant women away from testing and treatment.
Obi said fear of being labelled often forced many women to hide their status until after delivery, increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
She urged collective action to ensure future generations are HIV-free.
