The Nigerian Government has introduced free annual liver and kidney function tests for Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS, expanding national health insurance coverage to improve long-term treatment outcomes. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and development partners.
Salako explained that the initiative is part of ongoing reforms to strengthen HIV care and ensure earlier detection, improved treatment retention and better quality of life for patients. He noted that the government is working toward a fully integrated one-stop service model that combines HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition and NASCP programmes for children, adolescents and adults.
He further revealed that the age of consent for voluntary HIV counselling and testing has been reduced from 18 to 14 to increase adolescent access, following resolutions at the 66th National Council of Health meeting. The council also approved a national clinical mentorship programme, encouraging states to incorporate mentorship into their annual budgets to reduce loss to follow-up.
NACA Director-General, Temitope Ilori, said Nigeria remains on track to meet the 2030 HIV elimination target, reporting a national performance of 87–98–95, meaning 87 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 98 percent of those are on treatment and 95 percent on treatment have achieved viral suppression. She noted that the country has recorded a 46 percent reduction in new infections, with more patients now enrolled and retained in care.
President of NEPWHAN, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, called for increased domestic funding, strengthened community engagement and wider access to viral load testing, stressing that adherence support, psychosocial intervention and follow-up systems remain critical to preventing mother-to-child transmission.
ASWHAN National Coordinator, Esther Hindi, also raised concern over ongoing cases of children born with HIV, urging expanded access to testing and treatment for pregnant women.
Representatives of the UN, Global Fund and NPHCDA reaffirmed their commitment to support Nigeria’s HIV response and strengthen the health system for sustained progress. They emphasised the need for domestic financing, human rights protection and community-driven interventions to ensure equitable access to care.
They expressed optimism that continued collaboration between government, health partners and communities will accelerate progress and move Nigeria closer to ending HIV by 2030, securing a future where people living with HIV can thrive with dignity, support and long-term access to care.
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