Lagos State recorded the highest number of newly identified HIV infections in Nigeria in 2025, highlighting the continued challenge of controlling the virus despite years of expanded prevention and treatment programmes.
According to recent national HIV surveillance data, Lagos recorded 2,298 new HIV cases, the highest figure among the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Benue followed with 1,949 new cases, while Akwa Ibom recorded 1,159, Rivers 1,137 and Anambra 1,013.
Although Lagos has a lower HIV prevalence rate than several other states, health experts attribute its high number of newly detected cases to its large population, rapid urbanisation and extensive HIV testing network, which identifies more infections than many other parts of the country.
Nationally, HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 is estimated at about 2.1%.
The South-South region has the highest prevalence at 3.1%, followed by the North Central region at 2.0%, while the North-West records the lowest prevalence at 0.6%.
Benue remains the state with the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence at approximately 5.7%, followed by Rivers at 5.2%, Akwa Ibom at 3.5%, Edo at 3.4% and Taraba at 3.0%.
Despite its comparatively lower prevalence, Lagos carries one of the country’s largest HIV treatment burdens, with about 137,000 people currently receiving antiretroviral therapy through government-supported health facilities and partner programmes.
Health experts say the latest figures underscore the need for sustained investment in HIV prevention, expanded testing and access to treatment, particularly in Lagos, where population growth, migration and increased social interaction continue to contribute to new infections.
The Federal Government, through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has continued to expand free HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission services and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes as part of efforts to reduce new infections.
Nigeria has also adopted the global 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Public health experts have stressed that achieving the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will require increased domestic funding, sustained public awareness campaigns and improved access to prevention and treatment services, especially in high-burden states such as Lagos.
