In a renewed push to end AIDS as a public health threat, the Lagos State Government has rolled out the Lagos State HIV Prevention Plan (2025–2027). The strategic framework is designed to strengthen HIV prevention efforts and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS in the state.
Speaking at the dissemination meeting held at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Folakemi Animashaun, described the plan as the product of inclusive stakeholder engagement and shared responsibility.
She explained that the document, developed in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), provides a clear roadmap for advancing HIV prevention over the next two years, placing adolescents, young people and vulnerable populations at the centre of interventions.
Animashaun highlighted the plan’s priority areas, including the integration of HIV services at the primary healthcare level; expansion of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP); elimination of mother-to-child transmission; condom programming; harm reduction; stigma reduction; and community-led approaches.
She stressed that successful implementation requires collective ownership, urging government agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to align efforts and resources with the plan’s priorities.
Animashaun also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to health and human capital development, noting that his leadership has created an enabling environment for HIV prevention within the state’s broader health agenda.
LSACA’s Director of Projects, Michael Essien, said government-led interventions are key to reducing new infections and improving awareness, including targeted sensitisation, engagement of traditional birth attendants, anti-stigma campaigns, and PMTCT centres in all state-owned antenatal facilities.
In her remarks, the UNFPA Representative, Esther Somefun, underscored the importance of an evidence-based framework for effective HIV prevention and reaffirmed UNFPA’s continued support for the Lagos State Government in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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