Nigeria’s HIV crisis remains prevalent in northern Nigeria, with 19 states accounting for nearly half of the country’s 2 million cases, according to the latest 2024 HIV spectrum estimates released by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
The NACA estimates revealed that while Rivers State tops the national chart with 208,767 cases, Benue State leads the northern Nigeria with 202,346 cases.
Other states from the north with alarming figures include Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, and Borno States.
North Central: Benue, FCT, Plateau Top List
The North Central zone, comprising Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara, reported 516,842 cases which is the highest regional burden in the north.
According to the report, Benue’s 202,346 cases is second nationwide and first in the north. The FCT recorded 83,333 cases which placed it second in the North and sixth nationwide. Others are Plateau with 51,736, Nasarawa 44,993 cases, Niger 29,756, Kogi 28,421, and Kwara 20,259.
Health experts attribute Benue’s crisis to limited healthcare access, poverty, and cultural barriers to testing.
North West: Kaduna, Kano Face Rising Numbers
The North West, battling insecurity and poor health infrastructure, recorded 294,037 cases.
The data noted that Kaduna has 54,458 cases, Kano 53,972, Katsina 26,788, Jigawa 31,409, Kebbi 19,339, Sokoto 15,223, while Zamfara has the least cases of 13,253.
Health experts are concerned that Sokoto and Zamfara’s low numbers may indicate underreporting due to limited testing.
North East: Insurgency, Displacement Worsen Crisis
The insurgency-ravaged North East reported 231,938 cases, with Borno and Taraba as epicenters.
NACA, in the report, disclosed that Taraba has 58,460 cases which is the highest in the region and 10th nationwide.
Borno followed with 50,433, Adamawa 40,059, Gombe 31,825, Bauchi 28,698, and Yobe had the least prevalence in the region, 11,956.
In Borno, internally displaced persons (IDPs) face heightened risks due to overcrowded camps and disrupted health services. There were reported cases of rape and sexual abuse by Boko haram, armed forces and aid providers in the state ravaged by insurgency since 2009.
Southern States Account for 55%
The 17 southern states account for 55% of total cases which means the region remain critical with highest number of cases.
According to the report, Rivers State has 208,767 cases, the highest nationwide. Akwa Ibom State is second among the southern states with 161,597.
The report said Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, has 108,649 cases.
Deaths, Treatment Gaps, and Response
NACA added that in 2024, 43,683 Nigerians died of HIV-related causes, including 15,094 children. Only 31,095 of 93,186 pregnant women received anti-mother-to-child transmission drugs.
NACA’s Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, highlighted federal efforts, including a $1.07 billion healthcare reform and N300 billion health budget allocation for 2025, to mitigate drug shortages after U.S. aid cuts. However, activists demand localized strategies for northern states, where stigma and insecurity hinder testing.
With northern states contributing heavily to Nigeria’s HIV burden, targeted interventions through mobile testing in conflict zones, community education, and bolstered ART access are urgent.
