In response to the shifting landscape of international aid, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to self-sufficiency in funding the country’s HIV/AIDS response. The move comes amid concerns over the U.S. government’s recent reevaluation of foreign aid, which includes a temporary pause on funding for global health programs, potentially impacting Nigeria’s HIV response efforts.
Announcing the plan via its official X handle, Vanguard Newspaper reported that the Federal Government is intensifying domestic resource mobilization strategies to ensure ownership and sustainability of its HIV/AIDS response. The goal is to mitigate risks posed by donor policy shifts and safeguard the progress made in combating the epidemic.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) reassured Nigerians that strategic measures are in place to achieve national targets and uphold the fight against HIV/AIDS. According to the agency’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe, Nigeria remains resolute in its mission to end AIDS by 2030 through multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy reforms, and sustained advocacy.
“The Federal Government acknowledges concerns regarding the potential impact of the recent executive order by the U.S. administration, which includes a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance,” the statement read. “However, we are proactively tackling the challenges associated with sustaining our HIV/AIDS response.”
Nigeria has the highest number of people living with HIV in the West and Central African region. For over two decades, the country has relied significantly on international support, particularly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which currently funds approximately 90% of HIV treatment programs in Nigeria.
Despite this heavy dependence, the government is now charting a path towards financial independence in its HIV/AIDS response. By strengthening local funding mechanisms, fostering strategic partnerships, and implementing innovative health financing models, Nigeria aims to ensure that millions of people living with HIV continue to receive uninterrupted care and treatment.
With donor uncertainties looming, this self-sustaining approach could mark a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s public health landscape, reinforcing national resilience in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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