Ogun Commissioner: 96% Of People Living With HIV/AIDS Are Aware of Their Status

The Ogun State government has reported notable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with officials stating that 96 per cent of people living with the virus in the state are aware of their status.

The Health Commissioner, Tomi Coker, disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 World AIDS Day celebration, held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The event was themed “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.”

Coker noted that over 30,000 residents are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy (ART) at health facilities across the state. HIV testing and counselling services have also been expanded to all 20 Local Government Areas, bringing care closer to communities.

“Ninety-six per cent of people tested in Ogun State know their HIV status, and 78 per cent of those are on treatment. The prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme has been strengthened, helping more mothers give birth to HIV-free children,” she said.

Coker explained that the state is working to achieve the UNAIDS target of 95:95:95 by 2030. She highlighted that recent deliberations at the National Council on Health proposed lowering the age for voluntary HIV testing to 14 years, which aligns with Ogun’s status as a tertiary education hub.

She attributed the state’s progress to the commitment of the Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OGSACA), implementing partners, and dedicated health workers. The Commissioner outlined the state’s two-year strategic plan (2025–2027), which aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, strengthen health systems, promote community-led responses, and ensure sustainability through domestic resource mobilisation.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, including new infections, stigma, declining global funding, and service disruptions, Coker emphasised the importance of collective action to reduce HIV prevalence to the bare minimum.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Rotimi Ogungbe, stressed the need to strengthen advocacy, monitor progress, and address funding gaps. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kayode Oladeinde, called for local ownership and institutionalisation of HIV response efforts rather than reliance on external assistance.

According to the Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), the national HIV prevalence stands at 1.4 per cent, reflecting ongoing efforts to provide effective antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS across the country.