Lagos, Benue Lead as Nigeria Reports 21,389 New HIV Cases in 2026

Lagos, Benue Lead as Nigeria Reports 21,389 New HIV Cases in 2026

FELICIA ONAH, Abuja

Lagos and Benue have emerged as the states with the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the country’s 21,389 reported cases in 2026, according to the latest data from the National Data Repository (NDR).

The figures represent a dramatic 90.8% decline from 111,513 cases recorded in 2025, highlighting significant progress in HIV control, even as young women remain the most vulnerable group.

Lagos recorded 2,342 new cases, while Benue followed closely with 1,956.

Other states with high infection numbers include Rivers (1,185), Akwa Ibom (1,155), and Anambra (1,023). In contrast, Sokoto (83), Yobe (97), and Zamfara (139) reported the lowest figures, reflecting wide regional disparities in the epidemic’s impact.

The NDR data shows females consistently outnumber males among new infections across nearly all age groups.

Young women aged 20–24 accounted for 1,908 new cases compared with 691 men, while those aged 25–29 recorded 2,620 infections versus 1,106 among males. Children under 10 recorded the lowest rates of infection nationwide.

Treatment and viral suppression figures indicate strong national progress. About 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, and of these, 95% are receiving treatment; 1,657,173 patients across 1,997 health facilities with 95% achieving viral suppression.

Regionally, the South West tops the chart for new infections (4,628), followed by the South South (3,942) and the North East (2,863), while the North West reported the lowest numbers (2,132).

Treatment coverage shows a similar pattern, with Benue (191,225), Akwa Ibom (142,216), and Lagos (137,006) leading, while Sokoto (9,068) and Ekiti (12,271) remain the lowest.

A 10-year trend analysis highlights fluctuating HIV cases, peaking at 464,355 in 2020 before steadily declining. Other annual figures include: 2016 – 228,014; 2017 – 237,756; 2018 – 215,231; 2019 – 27,181; 2021 – 451,402; 2022 – 330,690; 2023 – 238,748; 2024 – 143,666; 2025 – 111,513.

The NDR stressed the importance of sustained, targeted interventions for high-risk groups, especially young women, and in states with high prevalence, to consolidate gains, reduce disparities, and maintain the downward trajectory in HIV infections nationwide.