By Muhammad Nasir and Ibrahim Kado
The Sokoto State Government announced it has achieved the 95-95-95 HIV/AIDS control target, covering diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the epidemic within the state.
Alhaji Kabiru Umar, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis and Leprosy (SOSACAT), disclosed the achievement on Monday during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration in Sokoto.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Health with SOSACAT, featured an enlightenment campaign, road walk, and distribution of food items to people living with HIV, raising awareness and encouraging public participation in prevention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World AIDS Day is marked annually on Dec. 1 to educate the public about HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have died from the disease.
Umar said the year 2025 theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”, reflected renewed hope for Sokoto State and all people affected by HIV, highlighting progress made in spite of past challenges and disruptions.
“As an agency mandated to enlighten, prevent, control, and support HIV/AIDS treatment, we have diligently achieved the 95-95-95 target, ensuring people know their status, access treatment, and maintain suppressed viral loads.
“This positive development reflects the sustained commitment of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu toward building a healthier society,” he added, urging residents to prioritise HIV testing, adopt protective measures, and reject discrimination against people living with HIV.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Dr Bello Marnona, Special Adviser on Primary Health Care Development, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and pledged to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
Also, Chairman of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Alhaji Kabiru Dauda, reiterated lawmakers’ readiness to strengthen legal frameworks supporting HIV/AIDS management and encouraged patients to stay adherent and productive in society.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, represented by Permanent Secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Dingyadi, also reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to quality healthcare delivery and the continued fight against HIV/AIDS across Sokoto State.
Similarly, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State stated his administration remained committed to ownership and sustainability of the HIV response, regardless of external circumstances, speaking during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration.
Fintiri, represented by his Deputy Prof. Kaletafwa Farauta, said the commemoration with the theme “Overcoming Disruptions, Sustaining HIV Response in Nigeria” reflected the state’s proactive measures to maintain essential HIV services during challenges.
“The state procured 34,000 HIV and syphilis test kits and implemented other interventions to bridge service gaps, ensuring health facilities continued providing essential testing, particularly for pregnant women and key populations during disruptions.
“This proactive step demonstrates our commitment to ownership and sustainability of the HIV response,” Fintiri said, reaffirming the state’s dedication to fighting HIV/AIDS and urging all stakeholders to maintain unity and purpose in the effort.
Dr Boniface Gundiri, Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS, said no fewer than 40,000 people living with HIV were currently on treatment in the state, with 93 per cent achieving viral suppression.
According to Gundiri, approximately 400 HIV-related deaths were recorded in 2024, with new infections dropping from 2,007 between January–October 2024 to 1,267 in the same period of 2025.
He added that HIV prevalence in Adamawa State had decreased from 2.5 per cent in 2014 to 1.1 per cent, reflecting the combined effectiveness of government policies, community engagement, and health interventions over the past decade.
Muriel Mafico, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), assured continued support for Nigeria in sustaining HIV prevention, particularly for adolescent girls and young women, providing treatment and related services across the country.
Represented by Dr Danladi Idriss, UNFPA Programme Officer in Adamawa, Mafico said combined efforts by governments, international organisations, activists, and communities had saved nearly 27 million lives and strengthened HIV response nationwide.
“Now, we need to come together and finish what we know can work, aiming for an AIDS-free future for all,” he said, emphasising unity, collaboration, and sustained intervention to end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
In her address, Lami Fintiri, wife of the governor, stressed the importance of collaboration and sustaining support for HIV prevention, while also donating food and non-food items to vulnerable persons living with HIV. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Abiemwense Moru
