Lagos targets 11,354 residents in HIV impact survey across 20 LGAs

The Lagos state government has launched a statewide HIV impact survey that will reach more than 11,000 residents across 20 local government areas, in a bid to measure treatment coverage, viral suppression, and strengthen policy direction in the fight against the epidemic.

The exercise, officially flagged off at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, is part of the Nigeria State-Level Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey (AIS). It will cover 6,150 households and interview 11,354 residents aged 15–64 between October and December 2025. Participants will be tested, counselled, and provided immediate results, with those who test positive linked to care.

Olusegun Ogboye, the permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, described the survey as a critical milestone in the fight against HIV/AIDS, noting that its findings would inform planning, strengthen systems, and improve care for people living with HIV.

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Ogboye explained that the AIS will track three major indicators: the number of people living with HIV identified, the proportion receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, and the percentage who have achieved viral suppression. According to him, viral suppression means that “the amount of HIV in the blood is so low it cannot be transmitted to others.”

The permanent secretary stressed that the survey is scheduled to run from October to December 2025, covering 6,150 households across all 20 LGAs of the state. Approximately 11,354 people will be interviewed, tested, and counselled, with results provided immediately. “All data will be collected confidentially, and anyone testing positive will be linked to care,” he assured.

On community participation, Ogboye emphasised that households were randomly selected and cautioned against stigmatising visited homes. “It is not houses with people living with HIV that are being visited; this survey is not about marking houses where people are HIV positive, so they don’t go marking every house that is visited by the enumerators and think it means that there’s someone there with HIV. This is a representative, scientific exercise to reassess progress and improve resource allocation,” he said.

He lauded the Lagos state governor for sustained support of HIV programs and commended implementing partners, including PEPFAR, US CDC, PHIS3, and the Federal Ministry of Health, for technical and financial backing. “Together, we move closer to the 2030 goal of ending HIV as a public health threat,” he averred.

In his remarks, Ibrahim Dalhatu, deputy director for epidemiology and strategic studies, U.S. CDC Nigeria, reaffirmed America’s commitment to Nigeria’s HIV response through PEPFAR funding and technical support. He stated that the CDC’s role spans survey design, laboratory testing, data analysis, and quality assurance.

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Dalhatu underscored that the survey is not only about data, but about people, families, and communities, adding that the exercise would generate evidence to guide the Lagos state government and federal government in implementing HIV programs to international standards.

He clarified that the selection of Lagos and Akwa Ibom States was based on their high HIV burden. “This conceptualisation began two years ago, long before any funding concerns. Lagos, because of its population, has always been a priority state,” he said, assuring that the CDC would remain involved through the dissemination and utilisation of results.

Chioma Nkanwa, representing the National Coordinator, National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), described the AIS as a major step toward epidemic control. She emphasised that community engagement and public participation were crucial to the success of the survey.

Nkanwa highlighted that the findings would guide policy direction, simplify programs, and improve sustainability and government ownership. “The clearer we understand the realities on the ground, the better we can design financing models and interventions that speak to Nigeria’s realities,” she explained.

Oladipupo Fisher, the Lagos State HIV/AIDS and STI programme coordinator, expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Ministry of Health leadership, and partners for their unwavering support.

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Fisher disclosed that Lagos currently has 135,225 people on HIV treatment, with 75 percent achieving viral suppression. “This survey will help us close the gaps, address stigma, and strengthen retention in care as we work toward epidemic control by 2030,” he stated.

He appealed to the media to amplify the campaign and sensitise communities on the survey’s purpose. “Your role is vital in dispelling stigma, encouraging participation, and ensuring success,” he told journalists.