Lagos Govt Explains 10,430 HIV Cases In 2025

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has clarified reports that Lagos recorded 10,430 HIV cases in 2025, stating that the figure represents individuals diagnosed through expanded testing services and not fresh infections recorded within the year.

LSACA said although the reports may have generated concern among residents, the figures should not be interpreted as a sudden rise in new HIV infections across the state.

The clarification followed a recent report that Lagos recorded the highest number of new HIV infections as Nigeria reported 102,025 cases across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2025.

The report, attributed from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, showed that Lagos recorded the highest number of reported HIV cases in the year, with 10,430 cases.

It also provided a state-by-state breakdown of recorded HIV infections, showing the geographical distribution of the disease despite years of prevention efforts by the Federal Government and its partners.

Rivers State followed with 6,287 cases, while Kano recorded 6,106. Akwa Ibom reported 5,413 cases, Taraba had 4,854, and Benue recorded 4,804.

Anambra accounted for 4,468 cases. Kaduna registered 3,659, while Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 2,989 and 2,764 cases respectively, completing the list of the 10 states with the highest reported HIV cases during the year.

Other states recording more than 2,000 cases included Sokoto (2,592), Cross River (2,595), Abia (2,546), Imo (2,537), Delta (2,469), Borno (2,311), Ogun (2,107), Plateau (2,084), Niger (2,020) and Ebonyi (2,015).

At the lower end of the scale were Ekiti with 462 cases, Bayelsa with 982, Gombe with 1,083, Osun with 1,093, Kwara with 1,371, Enugu with 1,429, Yobe with 1,483, Katsina with 1,541 and Kebbi with 1,572.

However, LSACA, in a statement, explained that the 10,430 figure represents individuals identified and documented through HIV testing programmes in 2025, many of whom may have been living with the virus before becoming aware of their status.

“The 10,430 cases should not be interpreted as 10,430 new HIV infections that occurred in 2025. Rather, they represent individuals who were diagnosed and recorded through HIV testing services during the year,” the agency stated.

The agency added that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial centre and most populated state, naturally records high demand for HIV testing and treatment services due to the movement of residents, workers, students and visitors from different parts of the country.

According to LSACA, Lagos also operates one of the country’s strongest HIV surveillance, testing and reporting systems, allowing authorities to identify more undiagnosed individuals and connect them with treatment and care services.

“As testing services continue to expand and more people come forward to know their HIV status, more previously undiagnosed cases are identified and linked to life-saving treatment.

“The reported figure should therefore be viewed as evidence of the state’s robust HIV case-finding efforts, expanded access to testing and improved reporting systems, not as an indication that the HIV epidemic is out of control in Lagos,” LSACA said.

Meanwhile, data obtained by THE WHISTLER from the National Data Repository on April 1, 2026, showed that Nigeria recorded 20,838 new HIV cases between January and March 2026, with Lagos and Benue states recording the highest figures.

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).

The Federal Government in late March announced that it had committed $346m in co-financing in 2026 to support HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programmes.

The development came as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, launched Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention.