The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has announced plans to commence domestic production of HIV test kits and antiretroviral drugs before the end of 2025.
Dr. Ilori made the disclosure on Friday in Ilorin during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatrics ART Acceleration Committee. She stated that the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
In addition to local production of HIV commodities, she highlighted other key measures being implemented. These include enrolling individuals in the National Health Insurance Scheme, increasing state-level resource mobilization, strengthening advocacy efforts, and supporting research and innovation in vaccine development.
Dr. Ilori emphasized that the establishment of the PMTCT and Paediatrics ART Acceleration Committee is a significant step toward achieving an AIDS-free generation and ensuring a sustainable HIV response. Citing the 2023 UNAIDS report, she noted that approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV in Nigeria, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded annually. Despite ongoing efforts, PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage remain below 33%, far from the 95% target set under the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children.
Although Kwara State’s HIV prevalence rate of 0.8% is below the national average of 1.4%, Dr. Ilori pointed out that disparities persist, with women (1.3%) disproportionately affected compared to men (0.4%). Some local government areas require targeted interventions to maintain and further reduce prevalence rates. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preventing mother-to-child transmission and called on stakeholders to support the development of a comprehensive database of children born to HIV-positive mothers to accelerate paediatric ART nationwide.
She also acknowledged the challenges posed by Nigeria’s reliance on donor funding for HIV programs. While the recent 90-day suspension of foreign aid does not affect HIV services, she stressed the importance of government-led sustainability efforts. This includes integrating HIV services into the national health system, strengthening government structures, and ensuring timely release of funds at both state and local levels.
Speaking at the event, Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, assured that the state government would fully support the committee in achieving its mandate. As Chairman of the Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, he expressed confidence that with the committee’s efforts, mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the state would soon be eradicated.
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