The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) says recent reports suggesting Lagos recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025 were based on a misinterpretation of public health data.
The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, made the clarification on Thursday during a news conference in Ikeja, saying the report should not cause panic.
His clarification came on the heels of reports based on The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025.
Animashaun said the widely reported figure referred to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases and not necessarily new HIV infections that occurred within 2025.
“The figure that has been widely circulated refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases, not necessarily new HIV infections that occurred within the year.
“These are two very different public health indicators and should never be interpreted interchangeably,” she said.
According to her, newly diagnosed cases include people who may have contracted HIV years earlier but were only recently tested, as well as referrals from other states and individuals who accessed expanded HIV testing services in Lagos.
She warned that misinterpreting the figures could fuel fear, stigma and discrimination, while discouraging people from accessing HIV testing and treatment services.
“We are engaging relevant stakeholders to understand the methodology, indicator definitions and reporting assumptions behind the published figures to ensure accurate interpretation and responsible public communication,” she said.
Animashaun noted that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub and a major healthcare referral centre, naturally records high volumes of HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment.
She said stronger surveillance systems and wider access to healthcare services inevitably resulted in higher case detection rather than indicating worsening epidemic control.
The LSACA boss disclosed that Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 HIV-positive cases with a positivity yield of 2.4 per cent.
She added that during the first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 HIV tests, identifying 3,390 HIV-positive cases, while the positivity yield declined further to 1.9 per cent.
“The declining positivity rate despite expanded testing is a significant epidemiological indicator that reflects improving epidemic control,” she said.
Animashaun also revealed that 147,904 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy in Lagos as of 2025, with 97 per cent achieving viral suppression.
She described the achievement as a major public health milestone demonstrating the effectiveness of the state’s HIV treatment programme.
She further said Lagos had reduced the Early Infant Diagnosis positivity rate for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV from 5.1 per cent in 2020 to 1.5 per cent in 2025.
According to her, the state has commenced a comprehensive HIV Response Acceleration Plan covering July to September 2026 to strengthen testing, treatment, prevention, service quality and data accountability across all local governments.
Animashaun announced that Lagos had also become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines.
“We are pleased to inform Lagosians that the first consignment of state-procured antiretroviral medicines is expected to arrive in Lagos by the end of August 2026.
“This landmark initiative demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV treatment while reducing dependence on external donor support,” she said.
She added that the government was exploring local production of HIV commodities through international partnerships to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve long-term sustainability.
Animashaun urged residents not to panic but to know their HIV status, access available prevention and treatment services, rely on verified public health information and reject every form of stigma and discrimination.
“There is no cause for panic. HIV remains preventable and manageable, and with early diagnosis and sustained treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy and productive lives.
“Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests. Lagos is defined by the strength of its response,” she said. (NAN)
