Health
Rivers, Benue, Akwa Ibom Lead in Nigeria’s 2 Million HIV Cases – NACA
Rivers, Benue, and Akwa Ibom states have emerged as the top three in Nigeria with the highest number of people living with HIV, according to the 2024 HIV Spectrum Estimates released by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
Rivers State leads the chart with 208,767 recorded cases, followed closely by Benue with 202,346 and Akwa Ibom with 161,597 cases. The data shows that over two million Nigerians are currently living with HIV, reinforcing the need for strengthened prevention, testing, and treatment interventions nationwide.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic hub, ranked fourth with 108,649 cases, followed by Anambra State with 100,429 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 83,333 cases — the highest figure in the North-Central region.
Other states with significant HIV prevalence include Delta (68,170), Imo (67,944), Enugu (61,028), Edo (60,095), and Taraba (58,460). Mid-tier states such as Abia (54,655), Kaduna (54,458), Kano (53,972), Plateau (51,736), and Borno (50,433) also reported substantial numbers.
In the lower bracket, Oyo (50,063), Cross River (43,452), Ogun (43,348), and Nasarawa (44,993) still reported considerable figures. States such as Adamawa (40,059), Gombe (31,825), Jigawa (31,409), and Osun (30,714) followed closely behind.
Further down the list are Niger (29,756), Bauchi (28,698), Kogi (28,421), Ondo (27,150), Katsina (26,788), and Bayelsa (25,339). The states with the lowest number of cases include Kwara (20,259), Kebbi (19,339), Ekiti (18,857), Sokoto (15,223), Ebonyi (14,151), Zamfara (13,253), and Yobe (11,956).
NACA’s report also revealed that 43,683 people died from HIV-related causes in the past year — 28,589 adults (13,650 males and 14,939 females), and 15,094 children aged 0–14.
As of 2024, 1,753,425 people living with HIV (PLHIV) are aware of their status, comprising 1,693,457 adults and 54,983 children. Of these, 1,735,808 individuals — including 1.69 million adults and over 45,000 children — are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Out of those on treatment, 1,160,256 were tested for viral suppression, and 1,112,339 achieved a suppressed viral load, which helps prevent further transmission. This includes 1,083,177 adults (363,531 males and 719,645 females) and 29,162 children.
Among pregnant women, 93,186 were identified as needing ART to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Alarmingly, only 31,095 received treatment, highlighting a major shortfall in prevention efforts.
NACA’s Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, assured that the Federal Government is proactively addressing potential challenges, including the risk of HIV drug shortages due to reduced foreign aid.
She cited recent interventions such as the Federal Executive Council’s approval of $1.07 billion under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity programme and an additional N4.8 billion for HIV treatment. The 2025 national budget also includes N300 billion earmarked for the health sector.
“These measures are aimed at closing the funding gap and ensuring a sustainable response to HIV in Nigeria,” Ilori stated, adding that the government remains committed to improving access to care and reducing new infections.