Nigeria recorded 20,838 new HIV infections between January and March 2026, with Lagos and Benue emerging as the most affected states, according to data from the National Data Repository.
- Lagos: 2,298 cases
- Benue: 1,949 cases
- Akwa Ibom: 1,159 cases
- Rivers: 1,137 cases
- Anambra: 1,013 cases
In the northern region, Kaduna reported 842 cases, Kano 476, while other notable states include Delta (803), Oyo (763), Ogun (751), Plateau (662), Imo (640), and Nasarawa (615). The Federal Capital Territory logged 579 cases. States with the lowest figures were Sokoto (110) and Yobe (100).
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has committed $346 million in co-financing for 2026 to strengthen interventions against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revealed the funding during the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention. He explained that the investment would support medical supplies, laboratory surveillance, reagents, expansion of primary healthcare, and financial protection for citizens.
Prof. Pate emphasized that domestic funding is becoming increasingly important as global health financing tightens. “The global space is changing right in front of our eyes. Financing has become limited globally and constrained in many countries, including Nigeria,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of innovation and efficiency, noting that advancements like Lenacapavir will strengthen ongoing efforts to control HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria across the country.
