Lagos and Benue top in HIV infections, with young women remaining the most vulnerable.

 

Updated data on HIV detection, treatment, and viral suppression across Nigeria's 36 states and Federal Capital Territory were made public by the National Data Repository on Wednesday.

The information also sheds light on the demographics of recently discovered instances as well as patterns over the past ten years.

Lagos and Benue have surfaced as the dual epicentres of new infections, driven by a deeply concerning trend: the rising vulnerability of young women.

According to the NDR, “95% of people living with HIV now know their status”, marking a significant achievement in national awareness efforts.

"95% of those who are aware are receiving treatment, with 1,657,173 patients actively on treatment across 1,997 health facilities."

"95% of those undergoing treatment are virally suppressed," indicating excellent program effectiveness and adherence.

Variations in new HIV cases are revealed by a 10-year trend study.

Cases increased from 228,014 in 2016 to 464,355 in 2020 before progressively falling to 21,389 in 2026, a 90.8% decrease from 2025 (111,513).

Other annual numbers are as follows: 237,756 in 2017; 215,231 in 2018; 27,181 in 2019; 451,402 in 2021; 330,690 in 2022; 238,748 in 2023; 143,666 in 2024; and 111,513 in 2025.

The latest year saw the highest drop, demonstrating significant advancements in HIV control.

In the last three months, new HIV infections by age and sex reveal young adults are most affected:

• 1–4 years: Male 282, Female 224
• 5–9 years: Male 70, Female 68
• 10–14 years: Male 79, Female 98
• 15–19 years: Male 234, Female 636
• 20–24 years: Male 691, Female 1,908
• 25–29 years: Male 1,106, Female 2,620
• 30–34 years: Male 1,032, Female 2,130
• 35–39 years: Male 993, Female 1,805
• 40–44 years: Male 1,020, Female 1,565
• 45–49 years: Male 813, Female 993
• 50+ years: Male 1,212, Female 1,426

Females recorded higher infections than males across nearly all age groups. The lowest infections were among children aged 5–9.

In the last three months, newly tested HIV-positive cases by state show Lagos leading with 2,342 cases, followed by Benue 1,956, Rivers 1,185, Akwa Ibom 1,155, and Anambra 1,023.

States with the lowest cases include Sokoto 83, Yobe 97, and Zamfara 139. Regional totals indicate:

• South West: Lagos 2,342, Ogun 770, Oyo 766, Ondo 383, Osun 238, Ekiti 129 – total 4,628
• South East: Abia 529, Anambra 1,023, Ebonyi –, Enugu 489, Imo 650 – total 2,691
• South South: Akwa Ibom 1,155, Bayelsa 262, Cross River –, Delta 827, Edo 513, Rivers 1,185 – total 3,942
• North West: Jigawa 184, Kaduna 859, Kano 462, Katsina 214, Kebbi 191, Sokoto 83, Zamfara 139 – total 2,132
• North East: Adamawa 396, Bauchi 206, Borno 267, Gombe 261, Taraba 603, Yobe 97, Nasarawa 637, Niger 396 – total 2,863
• FCT: 679

By region, the South West tops the chart, followed by South-South, while the North West reports the lowest total cases.

Patients currently on treatment by state reveal significant regional disparities. Top states in treatment numbers include Benue (191,225), Akwa Ibom (142,216), and Lagos (137,006), while the lowest numbers are recorded in Sokoto (9,068) and Ekiti (12,271).

Breakdown by state:

• South West: Lagos 137,006; Ogun 30,399; Oyo 32,126; Ondo 21,448; Osun 25,006; Ekiti 12,271
• South East: Abia 49,961; Anambra 47,384; Ebonyi 15,399; Enugu 55,062; Imo 47,846
• South South: Akwa Ibom 142,216; Bayelsa 19,477; Cross River 53,514; Delta 52,669; Edo 27,317; Rivers 90,403
• North West: Jigawa 14,104; Kaduna 56,814; Kano 41,601; Katsina 19,206; Kebbi 18,168; Sokoto 9,068; Zamfara 12,641
• North East: Adamawa 40,908; Bauchi 28,602; Borno 23,819; Gombe 26,618; Taraba 48,871; Yobe 10,726; Nasarawa 65,890; Niger 32,873
• FCT: 59,844

Regionally, the South South leads in treatment coverage, followed by the South West, while the North West records the lowest numbers.

The NDR data highlights Nigeria’s strides in achieving 95-95-95 targets, with strong diagnostic, treatment, and viral suppression coverage.

However, the higher infection rates among females and in certain states underscore the need for targeted, region- and age-spec

Governor Otti’s Power Push! Setting the Template for National Energy Reform

 

The recent commissioning of an upgraded 5MVA power plant at Abia State University marks yet another milestone in Governor Alex Otti’s ambitious drive to reposition Abia State as a model for decentralized and reliable power infrastructure in Nigeria.

More than a standalone project, the development reflects a broader and deliberate strategy—what observers are now calling Abia’s “power plant establishment spree.” At the heart of this strategy is the recognition that energy is the backbone of industrialization, education, and economic expansion.

The upgraded 5MVA facility at Abia State University is expected to provide stable electricity to the campus and its surrounding communities, significantly reducing reliance on erratic grid supply and diesel generators. For a state long constrained by power shortages, this is a transformative step.

However, the ABSU power plant is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The growing synergy between state backed initiatives and private sector investments most notably the Geometric Power plant in Aba—signals a coordinated effort to build a resilient and diversified energy ecosystem. The Geometric Power project, often described as a game-changer for Aba’s industrial cluster, has already begun reshaping expectations around power availability for manufacturers and SMEs.

Governor Otti’s approach stands out for its layered foresight. Rather than relying solely on national grid reforms, his administration appears to be embracing a hybrid model: strengthening institutional power infrastructure (such as universities and public facilities) while enabling private generation and distribution networks to thrive.

This dual-track strategy reduces systemic risk and accelerates results.

Importantly, these investments are not the kind that yield immediate financial returns.

Power infrastructure, by its very nature, is capitals intensive and slow to pay back in direct revenue terms. Yet, this is precisely where the administration’s foresight becomes most evident. By prioritizing long-term economic value over short-term gains, Governor Otti is laying the foundation for sustained growth. The benefits lower production costs, increased industrial output, improved academic performance, and heightened investor confidence may take time to fully materialize, but they far outweigh the initial delays in returns.

Critically, this wave of power investments is not happening in isolation. It aligns with broader economic goals reviving Aba’s manufacturing base, attracting new industries, and improving the ease of doing business across the state. Reliable electricity lowers production costs, boosts productivity, and enhances investor confidence. For students at ABSU, it also means a more conducive learning and research environment, bridging the gap between academia and innovation.

Analysts argue that what is unfolding in Abia is a template for subnational energy reform in Nigeria. By proactively establishing multiple power assets and leveraging partnerships, the state is gradually insulating itself from national grid vulnerabilities. This level of planning underscores what many describe as Governor Otti’s “commendable foresight”—an ability to anticipate structural challenges and respond with practical, scalable solutions.

While challenges remain—particularly around transmission integration, tariff structures, and long-term maintenance—the direction is clear. Abia is not merely reacting to Nigeria’s power crisis; it is actively redefining its energy future.

In the coming years, the success of these initiatives will likely be measured not just in megawatts generated, but in jobs created, industries revived, and lives improved.

For now, the commissioning of the ABSU power plant stands as both a symbol and a signal: Abia State is powering up—with purpose and with patience, confident that the long-term gains will justify today’s bold investments.