December 1, 2025 observed globally as World AIDS Day Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, issued a stirring call for renewed commitment to ending HIV and AIDS across the country by 2030.
She used the day’s 2025 theme, “Overcoming Disruptions; Transforming the AIDS Response,” to urge all Nigerians to intensify efforts in prevention, treatment, care, and above all, compassion. In a statement shared on her X handle, she reminded citizens that even though Nigeria has made important gains in HIV care and control, the journey toward an AIDS-free nation is far from over.
Globally, the challenge remains immense. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), by the end of 2024 there were an estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide.
Every year still sees new infections in 2024 alone, around 1.3 million people acquired HIV. And despite major progress, about 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2024. These stark numbers illustrate the global scale of the task ahead: preventing new infections, sustaining treatment access, and overcoming social barriers.
In part of sub-Saharan Africa the region most heavily affected, the burden is far greater. WHO estimates that in 2024, the region accounted for two-thirds of the global total of people living with HIV. In this context, Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country plays a critical role in determining whether regional targets for AIDS elimination are met.
Recent national estimates put Nigeria’s HIV burden at roughly two million people living with HIV. Of these, about 1.6 million are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), indicating substantial but still incomplete treatment coverage. While these figures show progress, they also highlight persistent gaps especially among those not yet diagnosed, not on treatment, or without consistent care.
The First Lady’s call to Nigerians emphasizes more than just numbers. She urged young people to “take charge of your health, know your HIV status by getting tested, and seek treatment if found positive.” She also admonished communities to support those affected and reject stigma and discrimination. In her words, “Every Nigerian deserves access to life-saving services, free from stigma and discrimination.”
This focus on stigma is critical. Despite advances in treatment and prevention, social attitudes often lag behind. Many people still fear testing or treatment because of shame, discrimination, or lack of support. National efforts must therefore address both medical and social dimensions normalizing HIV testing, promoting awareness, and ensuring that structural barriers do not prevent access to care.
World AIDS Day is more than a commemoration its purpose is to mobilize global solidarity, renew commitments, and remember those lost. Since its inception in 1988, each December 1 has served as a moment to reflect on progress, acknowledge challenges, and reaffirm collective resolve.
In 2025, amid ongoing global disruptions from funding shortfalls to pandemic-related setbacks the theme “Overcoming Disruptions; Transforming the AIDS Response” is particularly resonant.
Indeed, global efforts have seen notable successes: ART has transformed HIV from a near-certain death sentence to a manageable chronic condition for millions. Around the world, treatment has extended lives, reduced transmission, and improved quality of life for people living with HIV.
According to WHO, efforts to reach 95-95-95 targets (95% aware of status, 95% on treatment, 95% viral suppression) are ongoing, though not yet achieved.
Nigeria’s progress shows the impact of national commitment: increased testing, expanded ART access, and public awareness campaigns have all contributed to stabilizing—and in some places reducing the HIV burden. The presence of 1.6 million Nigerians on treatment testifies to the reach of the country’s HIV response.
Still, major challenges remain. New infections continue among younger populations, and mother-to-child transmission remains a concern. According to national reports, while some pregnant women receive ART to prevent vertical transmission, coverage is far from universal. Rural and underserved communities, youth, and marginalized populations who often bear the greatest burden still struggle with access.
The First Lady’s emphasis on youth responsibility, community support, and ending stigma speaks to broader issues: HIV is not just a health crisis but a social one. Efforts to end HIV must therefore be comprehensive involving healthcare systems, education, community leaders, civil society, and individuals. Compassion, awareness, and solidarity must match medical interventions.
In Nigeria and globally, funding remains an uncertain frontier. Recent years have seen disruptions in international aid, affecting prevention, testing, and treatment programs.
For many African countries reliant on foreign support, these cuts threaten to reverse hard-won gains. But the 2025 World AIDS Day call challenges this: it insists on renewed domestic commitment, sustainable funding, and local ownership of the response.
Achieving the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat requires renewed momentum: widespread testing, early treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, protection of vulnerable populations, and universal access to care. It demands political will, community engagement, and resources tailored to local needs.
Leadership from the First Lady’s advocacy to medical professionals, community activists, and people living with HIV remains vital. Their voices shape public perception, influence policy, and give hope. As Oluremi Tinubu said, Nigerians must continue to work “toward an AIDS-free nation.”
As the global numbers show 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide, 1.3 million new infections in 2024, and 630,000 deaths the world cannot afford complacency. The path ahead must be paved with solidarity, urgency, and a firm belief that HIV does not discriminate but neither should care.
On this World AIDS Day 2025, Nigeria’s renewed call for action carries weight beyond borders. It echoes the global cry for justice, health equity, and human dignity. If the commitments made now are followed through with compassion and concrete steps, there is reason to hope that the 2030 goal can still be met for Nigeria and for the world.