Lagos Commences Direct Procurement Of Antiretroviral Medicines -

One of Nigeria’s most populous state, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has commenced the direct procurement of Antiretroviral drugs dismissing widespread reports that the state recorded 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025.

The state clarified that the figure represents newly diagnosed cases and not fresh infections, even as it announced a historic move to directly procure antiretroviral drugs, becoming the first sub-national government in Nigeria to do so.

Addressing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, said the reports had been widely misinterpreted and risked creating unnecessary panic among residence.

According to her, the 10,430 figure being circulated in the media reflects persons who tested positive within the reporting period, many of whom may have contracted the virus years earlier but only recently came forward for testing.

Health Indicators

“The number widely reported refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases, not necessarily new infections that occurred within the year. These are two very different public health indicators,” Animashaun said.

She explained that Lagos, as Nigeria’s most populous state and a major healthcare referral hub, naturally records high testing volumes and patient referrals from across the country, making its diagnosis figures significantly higher than most states.

“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 added.
To underscore the state’s progress, Animashaun disclosed that Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 positive cases, with a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent.

She said first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 tests, detecting 3,390 HIV-positive cases, while the positivity rate dropped to .9 per cent

“The declining positivity rate despite expanded testing is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” she said.

Animashaun further revealed that 147,904 persons are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment in Lagos, with 97 percent achieving viral suppression, one of the strongest HIV treatment outcomes in Nigeria.

On prevention of mother-to-child transmission, she said Lagos had recorded major gains, with Early Infant Diagnosis positivity declining from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025.

Major Policy Shifts

In a major policy shift aimed at strengthening sustainability, the LSACA boss announced that Lagos has commenced direct procurement of antiretroviral medicines to ensure uninterrupted access to treatment.

She said the first batch of state-funded ARVs is expected to arrive by 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

Animashaun noted that the move was designed to reduce dependence on donor funding and secure long-term HIV commodity supply in the face of changing global health financing realities.

She added that the state is also exploring local production of HIV commodities in collaboration with Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and drawing lessons from Kenya to strengthen supply chain resilience.

Accessing HIV Services

She urged Lagos residents not to panic but to continue accessing 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.

Animashaun stressed that HIV remains preventable and manageable, insisting that with early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live healthy and productive lives.