The Lagos State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that the state recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025, describing the figures as a misinterpretation of public health data that could fuel unnecessary panic and stigma.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Doctor Folakemi Animashaun, clarified the state’s position during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.
She explained that the widely reported figure of 10,430 did not represent new HIV infections recorded in 2025 but rather newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases, many of whom may have contracted the virus years earlier and were only recently tested.
According to her, the figures also include people referred from other states or those who travelled to Lagos to access the state’s extensive HIV testing and treatment services.
“The number that has been widely circulated refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases, not necessarily new HIV infections that occurred within the year. These are two very different public health indicators,” Animashaun said.
She warned that confusing the two indicators could create fear, worsen stigma and discourage people from accessing HIV testing and treatment services.
The LSACA boss noted that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of the country’s largest healthcare referral centres, naturally records some of the highest volumes of HIV testing and patient referrals.
“Stronger surveillance systems and wider access to healthcare services invariably result in higher case detection and should not be misconstrued as evidence of worsening epidemic control,” she said.
Providing an update on the state’s HIV response, Animashaun disclosed that 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 in the first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 HIV tests, with 3,390 positive cases, while the positivity rate declined further to 1.9 per cent.
According to her, the declining positivity rate despite expanded testing is a significant epidemiological indicator showing that HIV control efforts in Lagos are yielding results.
Animashaun further revealed that 147,904 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) across Lagos as of 2025, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression, describing the achievement as a major public health milestone.
She also announced that the state had made remarkable progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with the Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate dropping from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025.
To strengthen long-term sustainability, Animashaun disclosed that Lagos had commenced the implementation of a comprehensive HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026, focusing on expanded testing, improved treatment, community prevention, enhanced data quality and accountability across the state’s 20 local government areas and 57 local council development areas.
She said the state is also scaling up HIV prevention through oral and long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
In a landmark move, Animashaun announced that Lagos had become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines to guarantee uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV.
She said the first consignment of the state-procured drugs is expected to arrive by the end of August 2026.
“This landmark initiative demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to safeguarding the health of Lagos residents, reducing dependence on external donor support and ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV treatment,” she said.
She added that Lagos was also exploring local production of antiretroviral medicines by leveraging international best practices and collaborating with global partners, including UNAIDS, to improve supply chain resilience and reduce long-term treatment costs.
Animashaun urged Lagos residents not to panic but to take advantage of the state’s free HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.
“There is no cause for panic. Know your HIV status, rely only on verified public health information and reject every form of stigma and discrimination. HIV remains preventable and manageable, and with early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy and productive lives,” she said.
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening its HIV response through sustained investment, evidence-based policies and strategic partnerships.
“Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests. Lagos is defined by the strength of its response,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said
the Lagos state Government has invested heavily on health not only on infrastructure but also on other matters relating to HIV/AIDS among others.
A representative of UNAID, Temitope Fadiya,
expressed profound gratitude on the investments that the Lagos state government had made in terms of testing and prevention of HIV/AIDS in the state .
