Lagos State Government on Thursday reassured residents that there is no cause for panic over recent reports on HIV in the state, clarifying that widely publicised figures do not indicate a surge in new infections but rather newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases identified through expanded testing and stronger surveillance systems.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, said recent media reports had misinterpreted HIV programme data, stressing that Lagos remained firmly committed to an evidence-based, proactive and sustainable HIV response.

Animashaun explained that the figure of 10,430, which had attracted widespread attention, referred to newly diagnosed HIV-positive persons and not individuals who contracted HIV in 2025. According to her, many of those diagnosed may have acquired the infection years earlier, while others were identified through referrals from other states or because of expanded access to HIV testing services in Lagos.

She warned that confusing newly diagnosed cases with new infections could fuel unnecessary fear, stigma and discrimination, discourage people from accessing HIV testing services and ultimately undermine public health interventions. She disclosed that the state was engaging relevant stakeholders to clarify the methodology and reporting assumptions behind the published figures to ensure responsible public communication.

Presenting programme statistics, the LSACA boss said Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 HIV-positive cases with a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent, while 179,229 tests conducted in the first quarter of 2026 yielded 3,390 positive cases and a lower positivity rate of 1.9 per cent. “The declining positivity rate despite expanded testing is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” she said.

Animashaun added that 147,904 persons were receiving antiretroviral therapy across Lagos State in 2025, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression. She also noted that the state’s Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate had dropped from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025, describing the development as evidence of sustained progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

She announced that Lagos had commenced a three-month HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026 to expand testing, improve treatment linkage and retention, strengthen community prevention, enhance data quality and promote sustainability across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 57 Local Council Development Areas. She added that oral and long-acting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services were already available free of charge.

The LSACA Chief Executive further disclosed that Lagos State had taken the unprecedented step of procuring antiretroviral medicines with state funds, making it the first sub-national government in Nigeria to do so. She said the first consignment of the state-procured medicines was expected to arrive before the end of August 2026, describing the initiative as a landmark move towards ensuring uninterrupted HIV treatment and reducing dependence on donor funding.

Responding to questions from journalists, Animashaun clarified that Lagos had not recorded any confirmed recent HIV infections in the current reporting period, noting that the last confirmed recent infection was identified in January 2025 before changes in HIV testing technology. She explained that Nigeria was transitioning to fourth-generation HIV testing capable of detecting infections earlier, while adding that the 2018 National HIV survey remained the latest official prevalence reference pending the release of results from a new national survey.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the briefing as necessary to correct misinformation circulating in sections of the traditional and digital media regarding HIV in Lagos State. He said the government had invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure and public health programmes, including HIV prevention, treatment and care, under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Akosile recalled that even after the suspension of HIV-related foreign assistance announced by the administration of Donald Trump in the United States, the Lagos State Government swiftly approved measures to ensure uninterrupted HIV services. He urged journalists to disseminate only verified information, noting that the state had consistently demonstrated strong political commitment to protecting residents during public health emergencies.

Also speaking, the Field Coordination Officer of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr. Temitope Fadiya, commended Lagos State for sustaining an evidence-based HIV response anchored on strategic partnerships, expanded healthcare access and community engagement.

Fadiya said the state’s investments in HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care had significantly improved awareness, expanded access to services, reduced infections and enhanced the quality of life of people living with HIV. He noted that continuous monitoring and evaluation remained critical for measuring impact, identifying programme gaps and guiding future interventions.

According to the UNAIDS official, collaboration among government agencies, development partners, healthcare providers, civil society organisations and communities would be essential to sustaining progress towards ending the HIV epidemic. He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to ensuring equitable access to HIV services for every resident.

He reaffirmed UNAIDS’ support for Lagos State’s efforts, expressing confidence that sustained investments, strong leadership and strategic collaboration would further strengthen the state’s HIV response and preserve the gains recorded over the years.

In his closing remarks, the Lagos State HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, thanked journalists for honouring the invitation at short notice and appealed for continued partnership in disseminating accurate information on HIV. He noted that Lagos had become a national referral hub for HIV prevention, treatment and care because of its robust health systems, urging residents to know their HIV status early and take advantage of free HIV prevention services, including oral and long-acting injectable PrEP, available across the state.

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