NACA DG reaffirms commitment to tackling HIV/AIDS

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria.

Reflecting on her one-year tenure, Dr Ilori outlined key reforms implemented by the Agency over the past year. These include the establishment of state committees in six states namely, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Borno, Kwara and Kaduna to strengthen efforts in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. She also highlighted agreements signed with pharmaceutical companies to facilitate local production of antiretroviral drugs and test kits, as well as a partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service to support the transportation of laboratory samples.

Other notable initiatives include the launch of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Data Ecosystem at the NACA Command Centre, designed to serve as a central hub for HIV-related data across the country. Dr Ilori stated that these measures are aimed at enhancing the national response to HIV/AIDS.

She further noted that the Agency had intensified its efforts to uphold the rights of people living with HIV, with a particular focus on addressing stigma and discrimination.

Responding to concerns surrounding the pause in US aid, Dr Ilori assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains unwavering in its support for the health sector. She revealed that a sum of $200 million has been approved to sustain HIV/AIDS programmes nationwide.

Dr Temitope Ilori, who was appointed as NACA’s Director-General in March 2024, is the first woman to hold the position.

Ifeoma Nwovu