ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria, on Wednesday reports a steep decline in new HIV infections, but young women remain disproportionately affected, according to new national data.
Figures from the National Data Repository show 95% of people living with HIV know their status, with similar rates for treatment and viral suppression.
“1.6 million patients are currently on treatment nationwide,” the report states.
New infections fall sharply to 21,389 in 2026, down over 90% from 2025 levels, signalling major progress.
However, data reveals higher infection rates among females across nearly all age groups, particularly young adults. Lagos and Benue lead in new cases.
Health experts call for targeted interventions focusing on women and high-burden states to sustain gains.
Gom Mirian is a Nigerian journalist and editor at Africa Health Report (AHR), with more than a decade of experience covering health, development, humanitarian issues and public-interest affairs across Nigeria and Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and has additional training in data analytics, combining evidence-driven reporting with compelling human-centred storytelling. Her work examines the intersection of health, policy, economics, technology and social change, with a particular interest in how global decisions and emerging challenges affect communities across Africa. Her journalism has received professional recognition, including a Nestlé Award nomination for human-interest reporting. Follow her on X @mirian_linus.