HIV fight under threat as Nigeria records sharp decline in Condom distribution – UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has revealed that condom distribution in Nigeria fell by 55 per cent over the past year, raising concerns about the country’s HIV prevention efforts.

Launching its 2025 World AIDS Day report titled Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, UNAIDS said the global fight against HIV is experiencing its worst setback in decades.

The agency reported major disruptions to HIV prevention, testing, and community-led programmes across several countries, noting that fewer people are being newly initiated on treatment.

According to UNAIDS, about 450,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa have lost access to “mother mentors,” trusted community workers who link them to care.

The agency attributed the disruptions to abrupt funding cuts and worsening human rights environments in affected regions.

“The funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, speaking in Geneva.

“Behind every data point in this report are people, babies missed for HIV screening, young women cut off from prevention support, and communities suddenly left without services. We cannot abandon them.”

The report highlighted that adolescent girls and young women remain particularly vulnerable, with 570 new HIV infections occurring daily among those aged 15 to 24.

UNAIDS warned that dismantled prevention programmes and strained community-led organisations have worsened the situation, noting that more than 60 per cent of women-led organisations have suspended essential services.

Modelling by UNAIDS suggests that failure to restore prevention programmes could result in an additional 3.3 million new HIV infections globally between 2025 and 2030.

The agency also noted a sharp decline in international assistance, with OECD projections indicating a 30–40 per cent drop in external health funding in 2025 compared with 2023.

UNAIDS called on world leaders to reaffirm global solidarity and multilateral commitments, including those made at the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.

The agency urged sustained and increased funding for HIV prevention and treatment, investment in innovative solutions like affordable long-acting prevention, and strengthened protection of human rights while empowering local communities.

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