Nigeria's Progress Against HIV Requires Sustained Effort - Adewole

Nigeria has made significant strides in its fight against HIV, with the country's response to the disease being hailed as one of the greatest public health success stories in recent times. According to Prof Isaac Adewole, the former Minister of Health and Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to Canada, investments in treatment, prevention, and community-based care have transformed the lives of millions of people and greatly reduced the burden of the disease. Adewole, who spoke at the 25th anniversary celebration and public health symposium of APIN Public Health Initiatives in Abuja, noted that the expansion of antiretroviral therapy, prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes, behavioural interventions, and community-based services have all contributed to a reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, while also improving the quality of life of people living with the virus. The former minister, however, cautioned that despite the progress made, there is still much work to be done to sustain the gains and ensure that the country continues to make headway in its fight against the disease. He stressed the need for sustained investments, strong partnerships, and evidence-based public health interventions, citing the importance of domestic financing in the face of declining international donor support. Adewole's remarks were echoed by the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, who noted that APIN has played a critical role in strengthening laboratory networks, supporting strategic health information systems, conducting community surveys, and building public health capacity nationwide. Ilori said that APIN currently supports treatment services for nearly 20 per cent of Nigerians living with HIV and has contributed significantly to reducing HIV prevalence across the country. The organisation's interventions, she added, align with the Federal Government's Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and have helped expand access to HIV services through primary healthcare centres. While celebrating the achievements recorded over the years, Ilori cautioned that major challenges remain, including the persistent HIV burden among key populations, the threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, and the need for more sustainable domestic health financing. The Chief Executive Officer of APIN, Prosper Okonkwo, said the organisation remains committed to supporting Nigeria's public health priorities despite changes in the global funding environment. Okonkwo noted that APIN has been preparing for the shift in global health financing and will continue to leverage its human resources, technology, strong systems, and strategic partnerships to improve health outcomes across the country. Founded in 2000, APIN Public Health Initiatives began as an HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and research initiative and has since evolved into one of Nigeria's foremost indigenous public health organisations. Over the last 25 years, APIN has expanded beyond HIV programming to include tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, disease surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and health systems development. The organisation's silver jubilee comes as Nigeria continues efforts to achieve global targets for ending AIDS as a public health threat. Experts at the symposium noted that while significant progress has been made in expanding access to HIV treatment and reducing new infections, sustaining those gains will require stronger domestic financing, resilient health systems, and continued collaboration among government, communities, development partners, and indigenous organisations.