In a bold move to safeguard HIV treatment programs, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦4.5 billion for the procurement of lifesaving HIV treatment packs. This decision comes in the wake of the U.S. government’s emergency humanitarian waiver, which overturned a controversial funding pause initially imposed under former U.S. President Donald Trump. Though the pause was reversed for some countries, including Nigeria, the government seems to be unwilling to rely on Trump’s temperamental approach to the subject.
Trump’s executive order had temporarily suspended foreign aid, including funding for HIV programmes in developing nations like Nigeria. However, following backlash from global health advocates, the U.S. government recently granted a waiver allowing the continued distribution of HIV medications and medical services under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Nigeria, which has the highest number of people living with HIV in West and Central Africa, had relied heavily on PEPFAR, with the programme covering approximately 90% of the nation’s HIV treatment burden. While the waiver provides a temporary solution, Nigerian authorities have recognised the urgent need for a more sustainable, domestically funded approach to HIV care.
Announcing the approval of the ₦4.5 billion fund, the Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and strengthening domestic resource mobilisation to reduce dependency on foreign aid.
In an earlier press release issued on the 30th of January 2025, Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), emphasised the need for Nigeria to take ownership of its HIV response to avoid future disruptions due to shifting donor policies.
“We appreciate the U.S. government’s waiver, but we must also intensify efforts towards sustainability,” Dr. Ilori stated. “Through effective stakeholder collaboration, favourable policies, and strong advocacy, we can still achieve the global target of ending AIDS by 2030.”
In the release, NACA called on state governors, private sector partners, legislators, civil society organisations, and the media to join forces in sustaining the fight against HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, people living with HIV are encouraged to continue accessing treatment at designated health centers across the country.
Despite the Trump administration’s initial policy stance, Nigeria’s swift response is renewed show of its determination to prioritise public health and ensure that those in need of HIV treatment receive uninterrupted care.
