Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria unveils a new HIV prevention strategy aimed at curbing rising infections, marking a decisive shift from treatment-heavy responses to a broader, prevention-led approach.
Launched in Abuja on Wednesday, the 2026–2030 National HIV Prevention Plan prioritises behavioural change, youth engagement and multi-sectoral coordination to address evolving transmission trends.
Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju, represented by Bilqisu Idris, says the new framework corrects years of imbalance.
“The cultivation of self-respect, responsibility and critical thinking goes beyond HIV prevention,” she says.
Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Temitope Ilori, reveals that nine in ten new infections now occur among individuals outside traditional high-risk groups.
“We cannot treat our way out of this epidemic,” Ilori says.
She describes schools, religious centres and communities as new frontlines in prevention efforts.
Nigeria still carries a heavy HIV burden, with over two million people living with the virus and about 43,000 annual deaths, despite expanded treatment coverage.
National Coordinator of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, highlights the role of data and inclusivity.
“People living with HIV are now at the centre of prevention strategies,” he says.
The plan signals a comprehensive reset of Nigeria’s HIV response, combining prevention, treatment and community-driven action.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Chukwu Obinna 