Lagos, Benue Lead As Nigeria Records 20,838 New HIV Cases

Nigeria recorded 20,838 new HIV cases between January and March 2026, with Lagos and Benue states carrying the heaviest burden, according to data from the National Data Repository.

Lagos led with 2,298 cases, followed by Benue with 1,949. Akwa Ibom came third with 1,159 cases, ahead of Rivers (1,137) and Anambra (1,013).

In the north, Kaduna recorded 842 cases and Kano 476. Other states in the mid-range include Delta (803), Oyo (763), Ogun (751), Plateau (662), Imo (640), and Nasarawa (615).

The Federal Capital Territory reported 579 cases. Abia and Edo recorded 527 and 512 respectively, while Ebonyi reported 253, Gombe 252, and Borno 238.

Also, Ekiti had 129 cases, Sokoto 110, and Yobe the fewest at 100.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government last week announced that it has committed $346m in co-financing in 2026 to support HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programmes.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at the national launch of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention.

“In the context of this major bilateral funder, the co-financing for 2026 is almost 346 million dollars additional.

“Mr President has already directed the Budget Office of the Federation to ensure that it is captured in the 2026 budget,” Pate said.

He explained that the funding would cover commodity costs, laboratory surveillance, reagents, primary healthcare expansion and financial protection for Nigerians.

“That means that some of the commodity costs, the laboratory surveillance costs, the reagents, primary health care, expansion of financial protection should be included,” he said.

Pate said the move reflected Nigeria’s shift toward stronger domestic financing amid declining global health funding and changing international priorities.

“The global space is changing right in front of our eyes. Financing has become limited globally and constrained in many countries, including Nigeria.

“While we have had tremendous success over the last 25 years thanks to global partnerships, the headwinds we are facing in terms of the changing global landscape force us to think differently,” he said.

Pate emphasised the need for innovation and efficiency, noting that new tools like Lenacapavir would help Nigeria consolidate gains made in HIV, tuberculosis and malaria control.