Lagos Dismisses Report of HIV Surge, Says No Cause for Panic

The Lagos State Government has dismissed viral reports claiming the state recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025, saying the widely circulated figures refer to people diagnosed with HIV and not new infections.

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The clarification was given on Thursday by the chief executive officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) Dr Folakemi Animashaun during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

Animashaun said the figures being reported were from a 2018 survey and should not be interpreted as indicating that Lagos recorded 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025.

She explained that the figure represented newly diagnosed HIV positive cases, many of whom may have contracted the virus years earlier.

“A newly diagnosed HIV positive case simply means an individual was confirmed HIV positive during the reporting period. These include persons who may have acquired HIV several years earlier but were only recently tested. The figure may also include people who travelled to Lagos for testing or treatment, referrals from other states, and individuals identified because the state expanded access to HIV testing services.

“On the other hand, new HIV infections refer to individuals who acquired HIV within a defined period. and are estimated using established epidemiological surveillance methods and scientific modelling. These are two different indicators and should not be interpreted interchangeably.

“This distinction is critical because inaccurate interpretation of public health data can generate unnecessary fear, increase stigma and discrimination, discourage HIV testing, and ultimately undermine public health interventions. To ensure complete transparency, Lagos State is engaging relevant stakeholders to understand the methodology, indicator definitions, and reporting assumptions underlying the published figures. This will ensure accurate interpretation and responsible public communication.

“It is equally important to place Lagos State within its proper context. As Nigeria’s most populous state, commercial centre, and one of the country’s largest healthcare referral hubs, Lagos naturally records some of the highest volumes of HIV testing, diagnosis, treatment, and patient referrals. Stronger surveillance systems and wider access to healthcare services invariably result in higher case detection and should not be misconstrued as evidence of worsening epidemic control,” Animashaun said.

She said available programme data showed continued progress in the state’s HIV response.

According to her, Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025 and identified 11,940 HIV positive cases, representing a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent. In the first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 tests and identified 3,390 HIV positive cases, with the positivity rate dropping to 1.9 per cent.

“The declining positivity rate, despite expanded testing, is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control.

“Furthermore, as of 2025, 147,904 persons were receiving antiretroviral therapy across Lagos State, with 97 percent achieving viral suppression. This represents a major public health milestone and demonstrates the effectiveness of the State’s HIV treatment programme.

“Similarly, Lagos State continues to record significant progress in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate has declined remarkably from 5.1 percent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025, reflecting sustained improvements in maternal and child HIV services.

“These indicators collectively demonstrate that Lagos has built one of Nigeria’s strongest HIV surveillance, prevention, treatment, and response systems,” she said.

Animashaun also announced that the state had begun implementing an HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026 to expand testing, strengthen treatment services and improve data quality across all local government areas and local council development areas.

She said Lagos had also procured antiretroviral medicines to ensure uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV, with the first consignment expected before the end of August.

“This landmark initiative demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration to safeguarding the health of Lagos residents, reducing dependence on external donor support, and ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV treatment.

“Beyond addressing immediate treatment needs, this initiative lays the foundation for a more sustainable, resilient, and State-owned HIV response. It reflects Lagos State’s determination to secure long-term HIV commodity security, strengthen health system resilience, and preserve the remarkable gains achieved in HIV prevention, treatment, and care over the past two decades.

“Furthermore, the State is exploring opportunities to strengthen local health security through sustainable antiretroviral commodity production by leveraging international best practices, including lessons from Kenya’s pharmaceutical and health commodity management experience, while collaborating with global partners such as UNAIDS. This initiative is expected to improve supply chain resilience, reduce long-term treatment costs, and ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV medicines,” she said.

Animashaun urged residents not to panic, saying HIV remains preventable and manageable with early diagnosis and sustained treatment.

“With early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.

“It is about building a stronger health system, supporting local industry, protecting our people, and securing the future of healthcare in Lagos State.

“To every resident of Lagos, our message is simple. There is no cause for panic. Know your HIV status, access available prevention, testing, treatment, and care services, rely only on verified public health information, and reject every form of stigma and discrimination,” Animashaun said.

Also speaking, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity Gboyega Akosile said the briefing was organised to correct misinformation circulating in parts of the media.

“Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invested greatly in the health sector of the state and the report going round lately is not favourable and incorrect, hence the need to correct the negative impressions circulating round the public.

“This is what necessitated the engagement, and it will be ideal to provide the press with accurate information in this respect.

“It is our belief that journalists after the briefing would report accordingly so as to allay the fear in members of the public, caused by the earlier news report,” Akosile said