Nigeria is set to commence domestic production of HIV test kits and antiretroviral drugs before the end of 2025, according to Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). Speaking in Ilorin during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatrics ART Acceleration Committee, Ilori emphasized that this initiative is a critical step toward eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The move to local production aligns with broader government strategies, including the expansion of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrolment, increased financial resource mobilization at the state level, and enhanced advocacy for vaccine research and innovation. Establishing the PMTCT committee is part of a national effort to accelerate progress toward an AIDS-free generation, particularly for children.
Despite significant strides in combating HIV, challenges remain. According to UNAIDS, approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 in Nigeria are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths annually. However, PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage in the country remain below 33%, far from the 95% global target. While Kwara State’s HIV prevalence of 0.8% is lower than the national average of 1.4%, gender disparities persist, with women being disproportionately affected.
To address these gaps, the federal government has established a National Acceleration Committee to oversee the elimination of mother-to-child transmission and improve real-time program monitoring. Ilori urged stakeholders to develop a comprehensive database of HIV-positive clients’ children to accelerate paediatric ART coverage nationwide.
Another pressing issue is Nigeria’s dependence on donor support for HIV programs. Ilori noted that the recent temporary suspension of foreign aid has raised concerns about the sustainability of HIV services.
