Nigeria has recorded 20,838 new HIV infections between January and March 2026, highlighting ongoing challenges despite a gradual decline in overall national prevalence.
Data from the Nigerian National Data Repository shows Lagos recorded the highest number of new cases with 2,298 infections, followed by Benue State with 1,949. Other high-burden states include Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Anambra, with additional cases reported across Kaduna, Delta, Oyo, and Plateau.
Women remain disproportionately affected. Prevalence among women aged 15 to 49 is estimated at about 1.9 percent, compared to 0.9 percent among men, with young women aged 20 to 29 accounting for a significant share of new infections.
Nationally, adult HIV prevalence stands at roughly 1.3 to 1.4 percent, with about 1.9 million people living with HIV. While treatment coverage has improved, gaps in prevention, testing, and funding continue to drive new infections.
At the same time, weaknesses in maternal and child health services remain evident. Only about one in three Nigerian children is fully vaccinated, with significantly lower coverage in parts of the North West and North East. Many children remain unvaccinated, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Access to maternal healthcare also remains limited in several areas, with low antenatal care attendance and high rates of home deliveries due to poverty, distance to facilities, insecurity, and other barriers.
Health authorities continue to push for increased testing, prevention measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, improved vaccination coverage, and stronger primary healthcare systems to address both HIV and broader public health challenges.
