Rivers, Benue, Akwa Ibom Lead as Over 2 Million Nigerians Live with HIV – 2024 NACA Report

New data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that over two million people are currently living with HIV across Nigeria, with Rivers, Benue, and Akwa Ibom states topping the prevalence chart.

According to the 2024 HIV Spectrum Estimates, Rivers State recorded the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at 208,767 cases, followed by Benue State with 202,346 cases, and Akwa Ibom State with 161,597 cases. These three states collectively account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s HIV burden, underscoring the urgent need for sustained intervention and healthcare support in these regions.

Lagos State, the nation’s commercial hub, ranked fourth with 108,649 cases, while Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) followed closely with 100,429 and 83,333 cases respectively.

Other states with high prevalence include:
Delta: 68,170
Imo: 67,944
Enugu: 61,028
Edo: 60,095
Taraba: 58,460

In the mid-range category, states such as Abia (54,655), Kaduna (54,458), and Kano (53,972) also reported considerable numbers. Plateau, Borno, and Oyo each reported over 50,000 cases.

At the lower end of the scale, states like Yobe (11,956), Zamfara (13,253), Ebonyi (14,151), and Sokoto (15,223) had the fewest reported cases.

HIV-Related Deaths and Progress in Treatment

The report also highlighted the human toll of the epidemic: 43,683 people died from HIV-related complications in the past year alone. This includes 28,589 adults (13,650 males and 14,939 females) and 15,094 children aged 0–14.

Despite these figures, there has been progress. A total of 1,753,425 individuals are now aware of their HIV status, including 1,693,457 adults (579,209 males and 1,114,401 females), and 54,983 children.

Treatment access has also improved significantly, with 1,735,808 people currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This includes:
1,690,057 adults (577,632 males and 1,112,425 females)
45,751 children aged 0–14

Out of those on treatment, 1,160,256 underwent viral load testing, and 1,112,339 were found to have suppressed viral loads — a strong indicator of treatment effectiveness.

The Way Forward

These statistics reinforce the need for intensified public health efforts in HIV awareness, testing, treatment, and prevention—especially in high-burden states. Stakeholders are urged to continue investing in healthcare infrastructure and community outreach to sustain progress and ultimately eliminate HIV in Nigeria.