By Aramide Balogun
reveals a dire situation in Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2023, the country saw 75,000 new HIV infections and 45,000 HIV-related deaths, indicating a significant surge and lag in efforts to combat the epidemic. Despite global progress towards eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030, Nigeria’s complacency and inadequate response put public health and socioeconomic stability at risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes HIV transmission through bodily fluids, mother-to-child transmission, and sharing of needles or drug equipment. Antiretroviral therapy can treat and prevent HIV. Nigeria records 190,950 HIV/AIDS infections annually, with 1.9 million people living with HIV as of 2021. The country needs a multilayered approach, increased funding, improved healthcare infrastructure, community engagement, and international partnerships to combat HIV/AIDS effectively. Successful strategies from countries like Botswana and Rwanda highlight the importance of robust healthcare systems and political commitment. Nigeria must act decisively to address the epidemic and meet the 2030 eradication target.