Nigerians to continue accessing HIV Treatment despite US aid cut

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerians living with HIV to continue to access treatments despite a recent executive order by the US temporarily halting foreign development aid.

Temitope Ilori, the director-general of NACA on Thursday said the continuation of care is based on a waiver issued by the U.S. government this week, allowing for the continued distribution of lifesaving HIV medications and medical services.

The 90-day pause, announced by the Trump Administration as part of a broader reevaluation of U.S. foreign assistance, initially raised concerns among stakeholders regarding the future of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis funding in Nigeria.

Read also: US aid freeze threatens 90% HIV treatment coverage in Nigeria – NACA

As the country with the highest number of people living with HIV in the West and Central African region, Nigeria has relied heavily on international support, particularly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which funds approximately 90 percent of the country’s HIV treatment program, Ilori said.

However, in a welcome relief to thousands of Nigerians, the waiver issued ensures that antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and other critical medical services supported by PEPFAR will continue uninterrupted.

This decision safeguards ongoing HIV treatment efforts, preventing disruptions that could have had severe public health consequences.

“We encourage the patient community to continue accessing HIV treatment services at designated centers nationwide,” Dr. Ilori stated.

Ilori expressed appreciation to the U.S. government for the exemption and emphasized its commitment to strengthening domestic funding mechanisms for HIV response.

She said the government will intensify efforts to mobilise local resources and reduce dependence on foreign aid, ensuring the sustainability of HIV programs in the country.

She also called on state governments, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and policymakers to maintain their commitment to the national HIV response and work towards achieving the global target of ending AIDS by 2030.

While the waiver offers immediate relief, she noted that Nigeria remains cautious about potential future changes in U.S. foreign aid policies, adding that strengthening local funding and fostering effective stakeholder collaboration will be critical in ensuring that HIV treatment remains accessible to those in need, regardless of shifts in international donor support.