New data from the National Data Repository (NDR) shows significant progress in Nigeria’s fight against HIV, even as Lagos and Benue emerge as the leading states for new infections.
According to the report, 95% of people living with HIV now know their status, while 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment. Of those receiving care, another 95% have achieved viral suppression, reflecting strong national performance.
Over the past decade, HIV cases peaked in 2020 before declining sharply to 21,389 in 2026—a 90.8% drop from 2025 figures.
However, the data highlights a worrying trend: young women remain the most vulnerable group, with higher infection rates recorded across nearly all age categories.
Recent figures show Lagos leading with 2,342 new cases, followed by Benue, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra. States like Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara recorded the lowest numbers.
Regionally, the South South leads in treatment coverage, while the North West lags behind.
Despite the progress, health experts stress the need for targeted interventions, especially for young women and high-burden states, to sustain gains in HIV control.
