Nigeria Launches New HIV Strategy to Reduce Donor Dependence

The Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled a new National HIV/AIDS Strategy Plan (NSP) for 2026-2030 on Thursday in Abuja, aimed at reducing reliance on donor funding and transitioning to a locally driven model for HIV response. Dr.

Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, stated that Nigeria has reached a critical stage in its fight against HIV/AIDS, necessitating a new approach to financing and program implementation. Despite significant progress in reducing new infections and expanding access to treatment over the past two decades, the decline in external support has made it essential to transition to a sustainable system.

The NSP emphasizes country ownership and integrates HIV interventions into broader sectors such as healthcare and education. Dr.

John Ovuoray from the Federal Ministry of Health urged stakeholders to actively implement the plan rather than allowing it to remain a policy document. The NSP is viewed as a crucial roadmap to achieving national and global HIV targets, including the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal.