Lagos State and Benue State have recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria, according to newly released data from the National Data Repository (NDR).
The updated statistics, released on Wednesday, provide an overview of HIV detection, treatment and viral suppression across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while also highlighting trends over the past decade and demographic patterns of newly identified cases.
The report identified Lagos and Benue as the dual epicentres of new infections, driven largely by the growing vulnerability of young women.
According to the NDR, about 95 per cent of people living with HIV in Nigeria now know their status, representing a major milestone in national awareness efforts.
Among those aware of their status, 95 per cent are currently receiving treatment, with 1,657,173 patients actively on treatment across 1,997 health facilities nationwide.
The data also shows that 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, reflecting strong adherence to treatment and improved programme performance.
A 10-year trend analysis in the report revealed fluctuations in new HIV cases. The number of cases increased from 228,014 in 2016 to a peak of 464,355 in 2020, before steadily declining in subsequent years.
By 2026, new infections had dropped sharply to 21,389, representing a 90.8 per cent decrease from the 111,513 cases recorded in 2025.
Other yearly figures included 237,756 in 2017; 215,231 in 2018; 27,181 in 2019; 451,402 in 2021; 330,690 in 2022; 238,748 in 2023; and 143,666 in 2024.
The steep decline recorded in the last year indicates significant progress in Nigeria’s HIV control efforts.
However, recent infection patterns show that young adults, particularly women, remain the most affected group.
Data covering the past three months revealed that infection rates were highest among women aged 20–24 and 25–29, who recorded significantly higher numbers than their male counterparts.
In contrast, children aged 5–9 years recorded the lowest infection rates.
State-by-state figures for newly tested HIV-positive cases in the last three months show Lagos leading with 2,342 cases, followed by Benue with 1,956, while Rivers State recorded 1,185 cases, Akwa Ibom State 1,155, and Anambra State 1,023.
States with the lowest number of cases include Sokoto State with 83, Yobe State with 97, and Zamfara State with 139.
Regional analysis shows the South West recorded the highest total number of new cases, followed by the South-South, while the North West reported the lowest figures.
The report also revealed disparities in treatment coverage across states. Benue leads with 191,225 patients currently on treatment, followed by Akwa Ibom with 142,216 and Lagos with 137,006.
At the other end of the scale, Sokoto recorded 9,068 patients on treatment, while Ekiti had 12,271.
Overall, the NDR data shows Nigeria making notable progress toward the global 95-95-95 HIV targets, which aim to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
However, the report warned that the higher infection rates among women and in certain states highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly for vulnerable age groups and high-burden regions, to sustain the country’s progress in combating HIV.