The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced the commencement of local production of HIV test kits in Nigeria, with plans underway to begin domestic manufacturing of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. The announcement was made at the ongoing 7th National Council on AIDS (NCA) held in Lagos, where NACA’s Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, hailed the development as a “game-changer” in the country’s fight against HIV.
“We already have two plants packaging HIV test kits locally, and we’re in advanced discussions with pharmaceutical companies ready to produce ARVs,” said Dr. Ilori. “This is about building a sustainable, home-grown response.”
With donor support steadily declining and global health priorities shifting, Dr. Ilori emphasised the urgency of Nigeria taking ownership of its HIV response. Currently, over 1.8 million Nigerians are on ARV treatment, many of whom rely on imported medications funded by international partners such as PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and The Global Fund. NACA’s shift to local production aims to address long-standing challenges such as supply chain disruptions, foreign exchange constraints, and high costs associated with importing HIV commodities. “These kits meet WHO standards,” Ilori assured. “We’re not just making them here—we’re making them with quality the world can trust.”
Ilori also highlighted that local ARV manufacturing would enhance access to treatment, especially in remote and underserved communities, while reducing the burden on the country’s health budget. “This move will protect us from global supply shocks and allow us to respond to our health needs with our own technical and industrial capacity,” she said. As part of a broader national strategy, NACA is also working with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to ensure people living with HIV are covered under the national insurance scheme.
Read Also: Court restores EFCC’s interim forfeiture order on Yahaya Bello’s ‘properties’
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the initiative, approving a $200 million intervention fund to bridge HIV financing gaps and establishing the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) to support local pharmaceutical production. “This level of political commitment is key,” Dr. Ilori said. “But we must now translate it into real, measurable outcomes.”
In her welcome address, Dr. Folakemi Animasahaun, CEO of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), called for greater subnational investment in the HIV response, urging states and local governments to take proactive leadership. “When global support fades, only those who’ve built resilient systems will stand,” she said. “Lagos cannot go it alone—we need every LGA, every state, every partner.” She proposed a new national compact built on five pillars: local financing, community leadership, integrated services, data accountability, and a shared goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
In a powerful speech, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, called for bold action to end stigma, especially against young people born with HIV. “These children are victims of circumstances. Yet they face isolation once their status becomes known. We must normalise care, protect their dignity, and eliminate discrimination wherever it exists.” She advocated for the integration of HIV services into mental health, reproductive health, and community programmes, stressing the importance of sustained anti-stigma campaigns.
This year’s Council,with the theme: “Advancing National HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid,” gathered key stakeholders from across government, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector to chart a new path for Nigeria’s HIV response. The consensus was clear: Nigeria has the tools, the talent, and the momentum to take charge of its HIV fight. What’s needed now is coordinated, sustained effort at all levels of government and society. “The road ahead will demand innovation, resilience, and ownership,” said Dr. Ilori. “But we have what it takes to not just sustain progress—we can accelerate it.”