The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged stakeholders to prioritise sustainable funding and increased domestic financing to protect Nigeria’s HIV response as international aid continues to reduce.
NACA Director-General, Temitope Ilori, made the call during the Nigeria Event at the 26th International AIDS Conference (IAS 2026) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the theme, “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.”
The event focused on Nigeria’s sub-theme, “Sustainability: Strengthening Resource Mobilisation for the National HIV Response in Nigeria,” which highlighted the country’s efforts toward creating a stronger and self-sufficient HIV programme.
Ilori said the continued success of Nigeria’s HIV response would require more than medical advancements and effective interventions, stressing the need for reliable financing structures capable of surviving changing global economic conditions.
She noted that Nigeria had recorded significant achievements in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support over the past 20 years through collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector players and communities affected by HIV.
According to her, these partnerships have helped expand access to essential HIV services and improved health outcomes for millions of Nigerians.
However, the NACA boss warned that declining global funding and competing priorities were creating pressure on available resources, making it necessary for Nigeria to strengthen its domestic ownership of the programme.
She described the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for the country to rethink its funding approach and develop a more sustainable HIV response.
“Sustainability is not only about replacing donor funding. It involves strengthening institutions, improving governance, increasing efficiency, encouraging innovation, expanding partnerships and ensuring resources are used effectively,” Ilori said.
She added that the conference provided an avenue for stakeholders to develop practical strategies and strengthen partnerships that would shape the future direction of Nigeria’s HIV programme.
Ilori also announced plans for NACA to organise a Post-IAS Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting after the conference to assess lessons, innovations, research developments and policy recommendations from IAS 2026.
She explained that the meeting would focus on converting the outcomes of the conference into actionable steps for improving Nigeria’s HIV response.
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to Brazil, Basil Okolo, said the conference came at a time when Nigeria and Brazil were strengthening their strategic partnership.
Okolo stated that recent engagements between both countries had renewed commitments to cooperation in key areas, especially healthcare.
He said health had become a major area of collaboration, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, local production of health commodities, research partnerships, regulatory improvements and innovation in health systems.
“We recognise that no country can achieve these goals alone. Success depends on stronger cooperation among governments, development partners, academia, civil society organisations, communities and the private sector,” he said.
He appreciated development partners for their continued contributions and expressed confidence that the conference would further deepen cooperation towards achieving sustainable health outcomes.
(NAN)