The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining gains in the HIV response as activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day formally commenced on Thursday.

Speaking today at a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Folakemi Animashaun, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast support of the state’s health sector. She noted that his leadership has strengthened both facility-based and community-level HIV interventions across Lagos.

Dr. Animashaun stated that this year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” reflects the impact of the recent Stop Work Order issued by the United States Government, which temporarily suspended community HIV services in selected localities.
According to her, the directive slowed down HIV testing, counselling, and psychosocial support, particularly for adolescents, key populations, and residents in underserved communities.

She, however, praised the resilience of community structures, including peer educators, faith-based groups, and civil society organisations, for restoring outreach activities and reconnecting clients to care despite the setbacks.

Providing an update on the state’s HIV profile, Dr. Animashaun disclosed that Lagos currently has an estimated 160,000 residents living with HIV, with 147,466 persons already receiving antiretroviral treatment. She added that the ongoing statewide HIV testing campaign, which began on November 18, has so far screened 9,943 residents, yielding a 2.0% positivity rate.

She further noted that young adults aged 20–35 constitute the largest testing group, while women in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin recorded a particularly strong turnout.

She stated further that LSACA’s Community Recovery Plan is designed to restore the momentum lost earlier in the year. She explained that it includes “intensifying outreach in high-priority areas, reactivating support groups, extending multi-month dispensing for stable clients, and tracking those lost to follow-up.”

According to her, these steps are crucial to “restoring and strengthening the networks that make early detection and care possible.”

Animashaun also placed heavy emphasis on tackling stigma, describing it as one of the greatest threats to Lagos’ HIV response. She highlighted the expansion of sensitisation programmes across religious institutions, markets, schools, and traditional communities in 2025.

“No individual should ever feel excluded or dehumanised because of their HIV status, and Lagos State remains unwavering in this commitment,” she said.

Dr Animashaun, however, outlined activities lined up for the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration. These include: Free HIV Testing & Counselling Services across all LGAs currently ongoing since November 18, Jummah Service at the Secretariat Central Mosque on 28th of November, Church Service at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa the 30th of November; Novelty Match at Campus Mini Stadium on the 29th of November; World AIDS Day Awareness Walk December 1 and a World AIDS Day Symposium scheduled to hold on the 2nd of December.