The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called for stronger domestic resource mobilisation, sustainable financing and greater national ownership of Nigeria’s HIV response as global development assistance continues to decline.
The Director-General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, made the call during the Nigeria Event held on the sidelines of the 26th International AIDS Conference (IAS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event was themed, “Sustainability: Strengthening Resource Mobilisation for the National HIV Response in Nigeria.”
The gathering brought together senior government officials, development and implementing partners, diplomatic representatives, civil society organisations, private sector stakeholders and other key actors committed to advancing Nigeria’s HIV response.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ilori said the IAS 2026 theme, “Rethink, Rebuild, Rise,” highlights the need for countries to reassess existing strategies, strengthen resilient health systems and adapt to the evolving realities of the global HIV response.
She noted that the theme aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to build a more resilient, self-reliant and sustainable HIV programme.
According to her, the future of Nigeria’s HIV response will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs and effective interventions but also on the establishment of sustainable financing mechanisms capable of supporting long-term progress.
Dr. Ilori said Nigeria has recorded significant gains in the fight against HIV over the past two decades through the collective efforts of the Federal Government, bilateral and multilateral development partners, civil society organisations, communities of people living with HIV and the private sector.
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She noted that these partnerships have expanded access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services, resulting in improved health outcomes for millions of Nigerians.
However, she warned that the global financing landscape is shifting, with shrinking development assistance and competing national and international priorities placing increasing pressure on available resources.
The NACA Director-General described the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for Nigeria to rethink the financing of its HIV response by accelerating the transition towards greater domestic ownership and sustainability.
She stressed that sustainability should not be viewed merely as replacing donor funding but as a broader strategy encompassing stronger institutions, improved governance, greater efficiency, innovation, strategic partnerships and the effective utilisation of available resources.
Dr. Ilori said the Nigeria Event provided stakeholders with an opportunity to deepen collaboration, identify practical pathways for sustainable financing and develop actionable solutions that would shape the future of the country’s HIV response.
She urged participants to move beyond discussions by committing to concrete actions capable of translating their shared vision into measurable results.
The Director-General also announced that NACA would convene a Post-IAS Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting after the conference to review key lessons, scientific innovations, policy directions and best practices emerging from IAS 2026.
She explained that the meeting would focus on translating the conference’s outcomes into practical and implementable actions tailored to Nigeria’s HIV response.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Brazil, Ambassador Basil M. Okolo, said the event came at a significant time as Nigeria and Brazil deepen their strategic partnership.
He noted that recent high-level bilateral engagements had reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation across critical sectors, adding that the renewed partnership reflects the growing importance of South-South collaboration in promoting sustainable development and improved health outcomes.
Ambassador Okolo described the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Brazil as one founded on shared history, common values and the aspirations of two dynamic nations with immense human and economic potential.
He expressed delight that health had been identified as a strategic pillar of the renewed partnership, creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange, local manufacturing of health commodities, research collaboration, regulatory strengthening and health systems innovation.
The envoy stressed that no nation can achieve its health and development goals in isolation, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, academic institutions, civil society organisations, communities and the private sector.
He also appreciated development partners for their continued support to Nigeria’s HIV response and wished participants fruitful deliberations and a successful conference.
