Lagos Tops as Nigeria Records 102,025 new HIV Infections in 2025

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s state of the health of the nation report 2025 has shown that Nigeria recorded 102,025 new HIV infections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Punch, the report ranked Lagos as the state with the highest number of new infections at 10,430, followed by Rivers with 6,287, and Kano with 6,106.

The report provides a state-by-state breakdown of new HIV infections, highlighting the geographical distribution of the disease despite years of intensified prevention efforts by the federal government and its partners.

Akwa Ibom recorded 5,413 new infections, Taraba had 4,854, Benue reported 4,804, while Anambra accounted for 4,468 cases.

Kaduna recorded 3,659 new infections, while Adamawa and the FCT had 2,989 and 2,764 cases, respectively, completing the top 10 states with the highest number of new HIV infections in 2025.

Other states that recorded more than 2,000 infections include Cross River (2,595), Sokoto (2,592), Abia (2,546), Imo (2,537), Delta (2,469), Borno (2,311), Ogun (2,107), Plateau (2,084), Niger (2,020) and Ebonyi (2,015).

States with the fewest new infections include Ekiti with 462 new infections, Bayelsa (982), Gombe (1,083), Osun (1,093), Kwara (1,371), Enugu (1,429), Yobe (1,483), Katsina (1,541) and Kebbi (1,572).

The data indicates that more still has to be done by the federal government to curtail the spread of the disease across the country.

In March, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a memo from the ministry of health and social welfare to improve HIV treatment nationwide.

Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social wtelfare, who spoke after the meeting, said the first approval covers the procurement of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to sustain the presidential treatment programme for people living with HIV/AIDS.

According to the Minister, Nigeria has a policy of providing free drugs to people living with HIV and AIDS.

Subsequently, Nigeria received 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, the long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine.

Mohammed Patiko, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), said the 11,520 doses received were part of a total 52,000 doses expected in three batches, under a Global Fund-supported initiative.