Akwa Ibom Tops HIV Prevalence In Nigeria

Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS burden has remained largely stable, but the epidemic continues to vary significantly across states, with Akwa Ibom recording the highest prevalence rate while Rivers State has the largest number of people living with the virus, according to the latest analysis of the country’s 2025 HIV data.
The report, compiled from verified data by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), UNAIDS, the Federal Ministry of Health and peer-reviewed research, estimates that between 1.9 million and 2.0 million Nigerians are currently living with HIV, making the country one of those with the highest HIV-positive populations in the world.
According to the analysis published by News Africa, official estimates place adult HIV prevalence among persons aged 15 to 49 years at between 1.3 and 1.4 per cent. However, a Bayesian modelling study published in The Lancet eClinicalMedicine suggests a higher prevalence of 2.1 per cent, a difference experts attribute to variations in scientific methodology rather than conflicting evidence.
The report said Nigeria has continued to make significant progress in expanding access to treatment, with about 1.6 million to 1.7 million people now receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The improvement has contributed to lower AIDS-related deaths and increased life expectancy for people living with HIV.
Despite these gains, HIV transmission remains a major concern. Data from the Federal Ministry of Health shows that 102, 025 ew HIV infections were recorded in 2025, indicating that prevention efforts still lag behind treatment successes.
The analysis revealed that state rankings differ depending on the measurement used. Based on prevalence rates, Akwa Ibom ranks first, followed by Benue, Rivers, Taraba and Anambra.
However, when measured by the actual number of people living with HIV, Rivers State tops the list, followed by Benue, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Anambra.
The report explained that the difference reflects variations in population size, noting that densely populated states may have more people living with HIV even where prevalence is relatively lower, while smaller states may record higher prevalence rates despite fewer total cases.
It advised policymakers to tailor interventions accordingly, saying prevention programmes should focus on states with higher prevalence, while treatment facilities and medical supplies should be planned based on the total number of people requiring care.
The report also identified Benue, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Taraba, the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos as persistent HIV hotspots requiring sustained attention.
While describing the stability in national HIV prevalence as encouraging, experts warned that it should not be mistaken for victory against the epidemic.
They stressed that with more than 100,000 new infections recorded in 2025, Nigeria must continue to invest in HIV testing, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment adherence, particularly among young people, women, key populations and underserved communities.
The report concluded that Nigeria’s HIV response must increasingly focus on geographically targeted interventions, noting that success in meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat will depend on addressing localized transmission patterns rather than relying solely on national averages.