The Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS has reported a significant increase in new HIV infections, with 8,850 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025. According to Abdullahi Adamu, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the agency, the state has seen a steady rise in new infections over the past three years. In 2022, there were over 2,700 new infections, followed by 2,500 in 2023, 2,227 in 2024, and 1,423 in the first half of 2025.
The agency’s surveillance data highlights the need for a review of existing strategies to combat the spread of HIV. Despite the availability of preventive measures such as abstinence, consistent condom use, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), many people are not using them effectively. Adamu emphasized that people living with HIV who adhere to their medication can live healthy, productive lives without transmitting the virus.
Currently, over 40,000 people living with HIV are receiving treatment in Adamawa, with approximately 93% achieving viral suppression. However, the state recorded 400 HIV-related deaths in 2024, underscoring the importance of prevention and treatment efforts. The agency has urged pregnant women to register for antenatal care, as prevention of mother-to-child transmission is critical to reducing new infections.
The state government has procured over 40,000 HIV testing kits, and residents are encouraged to take advantage of free testing services available at health facilities and community testing centers. The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Mr. John Tobias, has called on Nigerians to take ownership of the HIV response to ensure sustainability, particularly in light of a recent stop-work order issued by the United States Government that affected donor-supported interventions.
Tobias described the new infections recorded in Adamawa as “avoidable” and emphasized that effective treatment remains a key prevention strategy. If everyone living with HIV is identified and placed on treatment, there will be no opportunity for transmission, he noted. The agency is working towards ending new HIV infections by 2030, and journalists are urged to play an active role in sensitizing the public and promoting positive behavioral change to end the epidemic.