The Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS has reported a sharp rise in new HIV infections, with 8,850 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025. Abdullahi Adamu, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the agency, noted a steady increase over the past three years: more than 2,700 new infections in 2022, 2,500 in 2023, 2,227 in 2024, and 1,423 in the first half of 2025. Surveillance data underscore the need to review existing strategies to curb the spread of HIV.
Although preventive measures such as abstinence, consistent condom use, and pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are available, many people are not using them effectively. Adamu emphasized that individuals living with HIV who adhere to their medication can lead 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. Nevertheless, the state recorded 400 HIV‑related deaths in 2024, highlighting the importance of both prevention and treatment efforts.
The agency has urged pregnant women to register for antenatal care, stressing that preventing mother‑to‑child transmission is critical to reducing new infections. The state government has procured more than 40,000 HIV testing kits, and residents are encouraged to use the free testing services available at health facilities and community testing centers.
John Tobias, North‑East Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, called on Nigerians to take ownership of the HIV response to ensure sustainability, especially after a recent U.S. stop‑work order that affected donor‑supported interventions. Tobias described the new infections in Adamawa as “avoidable” and reiterated 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 aims to end 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.
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