Nigeria recorded 102,025 new HIV infections in 2025, with Lagos State accounting for the highest number of new cases at 10,430, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025.
Rivers and Kano followed with 6,287 and 6,106 new infections respectively, while Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Benue, Anambra and Kaduna also ranked among the states with the highest number of new cases.
The report showed that HIV remains a major public health challenge despite expanded access to treatment and years of prevention programmes across the country.
The Federal Government has intensified free HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, community awareness campaigns and digital surveillance as part of efforts to reduce new infections.
Nigeria is also pursuing the global 95-95-95 targets aimed at ensuring that most people living with HIV know their status, receive treatment and achieve viral suppression by 2030.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima warned that global progress against HIV remains fragile, noting that about 1.3 million people contracted the virus worldwide in 2024 and calling for sustained investment in prevention and treatment.
NACA Director-General Temitope Ilori has also stressed the need for stronger domestic funding and community-led interventions to sustain Nigeria’s HIV response.
The report warned that declining international donor funding could threaten progress, with Lagos, Rivers and Kano continuing to account for a significant share of Nigeria’s new HIV infections.
