Lagos Dismisses Claims Of Highest New HIV Infections, Explains Reported Figures

•state explains 2025 figures, highlights progress in epidemic control

•’No cause for panic’, clarifies HIV data, says reported cases are diagnoses, not new infections•strengthens HIV response, begins independent procurement of ARVs

By BENJAMIN OMOIKE 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Government has dismissed reports claiming that the state recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025, clarifying that the widely circulated figure refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases rather than individuals who contracted the virus during the year.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, made the clarification on Thursday during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. She said the figures had been widely misinterpreted, creating unnecessary public concern.

According to Animashaun, newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases include people who may have contracted the virus years earlier but were only recently tested. The figure also includes patients referred from other states or those who travelled to Lagos to access HIV testing and treatment because of the state’s extensive healthcare services.

She explained that new HIV infections are determined through epidemiological surveillance and scientific modelling, stressing that such estimates should not be confused with diagnosis data.

“The figure widely reported in the media requires important technical interpretation. It does not literally translate to Lagos State recording 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025,” she said.

Animashaun warned that inaccurate interpretation of HIV data could fuel fear, stigma and discrimination, discourage people from getting tested and undermine ongoing public health interventions.

She disclosed that the state government is engaging relevant stakeholders to better understand the methodology and reporting assumptions behind the published figures to ensure accurate public communication.

Describing Lagos as Nigeria’s most populous state, commercial hub and a major referral centre for healthcare services, she said the state naturally records a high volume of HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment.

According to her, stronger surveillance systems and wider access to healthcare contribute to higher case detection rather than indicating a worsening HIV epidemic.

Providing programme statistics, Animashaun said Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 HIV-positive cases, representing a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent.

She added that during the first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 HIV tests and identified 3,390 HIV-positive cases, while the positivity rate declined further to 1.9 per cent.

“The declining positivity rate, despite expanded testing, is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” she stated.

Animashaun further revealed that 147,904 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Lagos as of 2025, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression, describing the achievement as a major public health milestone.

She also noted that the state’s Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate had declined from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025, reflecting sustained progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

The LSACA boss announced that Lagos has commenced the implementation of a HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026.

The initiative aims to expand HIV testing, strengthen treatment linkage and retention, improve service quality, enhance community-based prevention efforts and strengthen data quality across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 57 Local Council Development Areas.

She said Lagos continues to implement several HIV prevention interventions, including oral and long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Animashaun also disclosed that the state had independently procured antiretroviral medicines to ensure uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV, with the first consignment expected before the end of August 2026.

According to her, the initiative makes Lagos the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines, a move she said would reduce dependence on donor funding, strengthen the resilience of the state’s healthcare system and guarantee long-term HIV commodity security.

She added that the government is also exploring local production of HIV commodities through partnerships with international organisations, including UNAIDS, while drawing lessons from Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry.

Urging residents to know their HIV status, access available prevention and treatment services and rely on verified public health information, Animashaun called on the public to reject stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

“There is no cause for panic. HIV remains preventable and manageable. With early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, productive and fulfilling lives,” she said.

She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to evidence-based policies, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in strengthening its HIV response, declaring that “Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests. Lagos is defined by the strength of its response.”

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