Nigeria recorded a total of 20,838 new cases of HIV between January and March 2026, with Lagos State and Benue State emerging as the most affected, according to data from the National Data Repository.
Lagos led the tally with 2,298 new infections, followed by Benue with 1,949 cases. Other states with high figures include Akwa Ibom State (1,159), Rivers State (1,137), and Anambra State (1,013).
In northern Nigeria, Kaduna State recorded 842 cases, while Kano State reported 476. Additional figures show notable case counts in Delta State (803), Oyo State (763), Ogun State (751), Plateau State (662), Imo State (640), and Nasarawa State (615). The Federal Capital Territory recorded 579 cases.
Meanwhile, Abia State and Edo State reported 527 and 512 infections respectively. Lower figures were recorded in Ebonyi State (253), Gombe State (252), and Borno State (238), while Ekiti State (129), Sokoto State (110), and Yobe State (100) recorded the lowest numbers.
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In response to the rising infections, the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a $346 million co-financing plan for 2026 aimed at strengthening interventions against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Speaking during the national rollout of Lenacapavir, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the funding—already approved in the 2026 budget—will support procurement of medical supplies, laboratory surveillance, reagents, expansion of primary healthcare services, and financial protection for citizens.
Pate emphasised the need for increased domestic funding as global health financing declines, noting that innovation and efficiency will be critical in tackling the burden of HIV and related diseases.
He added that new medical advances, including Lenacapavir, are expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s response and improve prevention efforts nationwide.
