Nigeria shifts HIV strategy to prevention, behavioral change
Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) launched a new National HIV Prevention Plan for 2026–2030, moving from treatment-focused to prevention-driven response. The plan emphasizes behavioral change and multi-sectoral collaboration to address evolving infection patterns, with nine out of ten new adult infections now occurring among ordinary Nigerians not fitting traditional high-risk categories. Permanent Secretary Kachollom Daju stated the shift corrects long-term imbalance toward treatment, prioritizing self-respect, foresight, and responsibility among youth. NACA Director-General Temitope Ilori called it a 'fundamental reimagining' requiring integration into education, sports, and community settings. The plan maintains focus on treatment access and vertical transmission elimination while involving people living with HIV at the core. Implementation will leverage NEPWHAN's nationwide structure for community engagement.