By Yinka Giwa
The Lagos State Government has appealed for calm following growing public concern over reports suggesting a surge in HIV infections across the state, clarifying that the widely publicised figures reflect increased case detection through expanded testing rather than a worsening HIV epidemic.
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, said many of the reports had misinterpreted public health data, stressing that the numbers being circulated referred to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases and not necessarily new infections recorded within the year.
According to her, Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s most populous state and a major healthcare referral centre naturally results in significantly higher testing volumes and patient referrals from across the country.
“Stronger surveillance systems and wider access to healthcare services invariably result in higher case detection and should not be misconstrued as evidence of worsening epidemic control,” she said.
Animashaun said available data actually pointed to improving control of the epidemic.
She disclosed that Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 positive cases, representing a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent.
She added that in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the state carried out 179,229 HIV tests, detecting 3,390 HIV-positive cases, while the positivity rate declined further to 1.9 per cent.
“The declining positivity rate despite expanded testing is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” she explained.
The LSACA boss further revealed that 147,904 persons are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment in Lagos, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression, describing the outcome as one of the strongest HIV treatment performances in the country.
She also highlighted major progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, noting that the Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate had dropped significantly from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025.
In what she described as a landmark policy initiative, Animashaun announced that Lagos State has commenced direct procurement of antiretroviral medicines to guarantee uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV.
She said the first batch of state-funded antiretroviral drugs is expected to arrive before the end of August 2026.
“This marks a historic milestone, making Lagos State the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV,” she said.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on donor funding while ensuring long-term availability of HIV treatment commodities amid changing global health financing realities.
Animashaun added that Lagos is also exploring local production of HIV commodities in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), while drawing lessons from Kenya to strengthen the resilience of its supply chain.
She urged residents not to panic over the reports but to continue taking advantage of available HIV testing, prevention and treatment services.
“There is no cause for panic. Know your HIV status, rely on verified public health information, and reject every form of stigma and discrimination,” she said.
She stressed that HIV remains both preventable and manageable, noting that early diagnosis and sustained treatment enable people living with the virus to lead healthy and productive lives.
“Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests. Lagos is defined by the strength of its response,” Animashaun said.