The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called on Nigerians to take greater responsibility in the fight against HIV, as Adamawa State records a steady rise in new infections despite years of donor-funded interventions.
Speaking at a media engagement on the state’s HIV/AIDS response in Yola, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of NACA, John Tobias, said the recent “stop-work order” issued by the United States Government in February had disrupted donor-supported HIV programmes across the country, a development he described as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria.
“This development is a wake-up call for us to begin to take responsibility for our own health and reduce overreliance on donor support,” Tobias said.
He disclosed that within the first half of 2025 alone, Adamawa recorded 1,423 new HIV infections, adding that the figure was “avoidable” if preventive and treatment measures were fully utilised.
“If everyone living with HIV is identified and placed on treatment, there will be no opportunity for transmission. We must accelerate our efforts and aim to end new HIV infections by 2030,” he said.
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Earlier, Abdullahi Adamu, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ADSACA), revealed that the state had recorded 8,850 new infections between 2022 and 2025, with annual figures showing a gradual but consistent rise.
According to Adamu, over 40,000 persons living with the virus are currently receiving treatment in the state, with about 93 per cent achieving viral suppression. However, he expressed concern that new infections continue to rise despite the availability of preventive options.
“We have preventive options such as abstinence, consistent condom use, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but many people are not taking them seriously,” Adamu said.
He added that the Adamawa State Government had procured over 40,000 infection testing kits to enhance early detection, urging residents to take advantage of the free testing services available at health facilities and testing centres across the state.
Participants at the session, including media professionals, were urged to intensify public education and help dispel myths surrounding the virus, as part of collective efforts to curb new infections and promote positive behavioural change.
