By Editor Drealomalicha Emmanuella
Nigeria recorded 20,838 new HIV infections between January and March 2026, with Lagos and Benue states reporting the highest numbers, according to the National Data Repository.
Lagos topped the list with 2,298 new cases, followed closely by Benue with 1,949 infections. Akwa Ibom came third at 1,159 cases, while Rivers and Anambra reported 1,137 and 1,013 cases respectively.
In the northern region, Kaduna recorded 842 new cases, and Kano reported 476. Other notable figures included Delta (803), Oyo (763), Ogun (751), Plateau (662), Imo (640), and Nasarawa (615). The Federal Capital Territory logged 579 cases, while Abia and Edo reported 527 and 512 infections. Ebonyi, Gombe, and Borno reported the lowest figures in the region, with 253, 252, and 238 cases respectively, and Ekiti, Sokoto, and Yobe recorded the smallest numbers at 129, 110, and 100.
In response to the rising numbers, the Federal Government announced a $346 million co-financing plan for 2026 to strengthen interventions against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, revealed this during the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable designed for HIV prevention.
Prof. Pate explained that the funding—already approved by the President for the 2026 budget will support medical supplies, laboratory surveillance, reagents, primary healthcare expansion, and financial protection for citizens.
He stressed that Nigeria is increasingly focusing on domestic funding amid shrinking global health financing. “Innovation and efficiency are key,” Pate said, highlighting that advances such as Lenacapavir will strengthen nationwide efforts to control HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
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