DOCTOR LINK RISING HIV INFECTIONS IN NIGERIA TO POVERTY

Medical experts have linked the rise in new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Nigeria to declining donor funding, worsening poverty, and reduced awareness campaigns, warning that the trend could reverse years of progress in controlling the disease.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, Nigeria recorded 102,025 new HIV infections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025.

The physicians said funding cuts have weakened HIV prevention programmes, testing services, counselling, education, and community support, while worsening economic hardship has increased the risk of HIV transmission.

Tuberculosis and HIV specialist Dr. Dan Onwujekwe said worsening poverty has pushed many Nigerians to seek care at unregistered health facilities where unsafe practices, such as reusing syringes and needles, increase the risk of HIV and other infections. He added that sharing sharp instruments in barber shops, salons, and beauty parlours also poses a risk.

Speaking on the impact of donor funding cuts, he said, “Whenever funding is cut, preventive healthcare services are usually the first to suffer. In fact, the 102,025 reported HIV cases may actually represent only the tip of the iceberg. Nigeria is a very large country, and the figure is probably only a fraction of the actual burden. However, that is the official figure currently available.”

Also speaking, HIV researcher Dr. Sule Abdullahi said reduced donor support and declining public awareness campaigns have affected HIV testing and treatment. According to him, “If those supplies are disrupted, some patients may not receive their medications consistently. When people stop taking their drugs, their viral load increases, making transmission more likely.”

He also noted that HIV prevention campaigns have reduced significantly. Abdullahi urged the government to increase domestic funding to close the gap left by foreign donors and encouraged Nigerians to practise safer s+x and avoid risky s+xual behaviour.

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