Lagos State Gears Up for First Self-Funded HIV Drug Delivery in August

The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to become Nigeria's pioneering sub-national entity to independently procure antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for individuals living with HIV. The initial consignment of these crucial drugs is anticipated to arrive before August 2026 ends.

Folakemi Animashaun, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), made this significant announcement on Thursday during a press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja. During the event, she also contested a recent report by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which positioned Lagos as the state with the highest incidence of new HIV infections nationwide.

Animashaun lauded the state's move to acquire HIV medicines as a monumental step, aimed at decreasing reliance on international donors and guaranteeing consistent access to treatment for patients. She stated, “We are pleased to inform Lagosians that the first consignment of these state-procured ARV medicines is expected to arrive in Lagos by the end of August 2026. This marks a historic milestone, making Lagos State the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV.”

She further highlighted that this initiative underscores the state's unwavering dedication to maintaining HIV treatment services, irrespective of any fluctuations in donor funding. “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,” Animashaun added.

In addition to local procurement, Animashaun revealed that the state is collaborating with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to investigate possibilities for local manufacturing of antiretroviral drugs. This exploration draws insights from successful pharmaceutical and health commodity management systems, such as Kenya's. She explained that local production would bolster supply chains, reduce long-term treatment expenses, and enhance the availability of HIV medicines.

The LSACA CEO used the platform to challenge figures from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s 'State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025', which claimed Lagos recorded 10,430 new HIV infections, the highest in the country. Animashaun clarified that this figure had been extensively misinterpreted.

“The figure widely reported in the media requires important technical interpretation. It does not literally translate to the state recording 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025. 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,” she explained.

She elaborated that many individuals included in the reported figure might have contracted HIV years prior but were only recently tested. This number could also encompass those who traveled to Lagos for testing or treatment, referrals from other states, and individuals identified due to the state's broadened HIV testing services.

Animashaun stressed that accurate estimates of new HIV infections are typically derived from scientific surveillance and epidemiological modeling, rather than routine testing data. “New HIV infections refer to individuals who acquired HIV within a defined period and are estimated using established epidemiological surveillance methods and scientific modelling. This distinction is critical because inaccurate interpretation of public health data can generate unnecessary fear, increase stigma and discrimination, discourage HIV testing and ultimately undermine public health interventions,” she warned.

LSACA has initiated discussions with relevant stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the methodology and assumptions underpinning the federal report. Animashaun attributed the state's relatively high number of diagnosed cases to its large population and its role as Nigeria's primary healthcare referral hub. She noted, “As Nigeria’s most populous state, commercial centre and one of the country’s largest healthcare referral hubs, Lagos naturally records some of the highest volumes of HIV testing, diagnosis, treatment 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.”

Programme data presented by the agency showed that Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 positive cases, which translates to a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent. For the first quarter of 2026, 179,229 tests were carried out, revealing 3,390 positive cases, with the positivity rate decreasing to 1.9 per cent. “The declining positivity rate, despite expanded testing, is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” Animashaun affirmed.

As of 2025, 147,904 people in Lagos were receiving antiretroviral treatment, with an impressive 97 per cent achieving viral suppression. Furthermore, the state's Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate saw a reduction from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025, indicating progress in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Animashaun also disclosed the launch of an HIV Response Acceleration Plan, spanning from July to September 2026, across all 20 local government areas and 57 local council development areas. This plan includes expanded HIV testing, improved treatment retention, enhanced community prevention programs, and the introduction of both oral and long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis.

She urged the public, stating, “There is no cause for panic. Know your HIV status, access available prevention, testing, treatment and care services, rely only on verified public health information, and reject every form of stigma and discrimination. HIV remains preventable and manageable. With early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.”

An information officer from the Federal Ministry of Health informed The PUNCH that he would require additional details before commenting on the accuracy of the Lagos health authorities' interpretation of the situation.