Abeokuta – The Ogun State Government has announced significant strides in its fight against HIV and AIDS, with over 30,000 residents now receiving free antiretroviral therapy across the state’s health facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 World AIDS Day celebration held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre in Abeokuta. The event was themed, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.”
Dr. Coker highlighted that the state’s robust approach has led to 96% of people living with HIV in Ogun State being aware of their status, with 78% of those diagnosed now on treatment.
“We have strengthened our response and improved access to life-saving services,” Dr. Coker stated. “Today, in Ogun state, 96% of people living with HIV know their status, while 78% are on treatment. We hope to achieve the UNAIDS target of 95-95-95 by the year 2030.”
The Commissioner also pointed to a major expansion in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, which has resulted in more HIV-positive mothers giving birth to children free of the virus. She reaffirmed the state’s goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission entirely by 2030.
To further bolster the response, Dr. Coker revealed that the state has developed a two-year strategic plan (2025-2027) focused on strengthening health systems, promoting community-led initiatives, and ensuring sustainability through domestic resource mobilization.
However, she also acknowledged existing threats, including the stigma associated with the disease, a decline in global funding, and service disruptions that particularly affect vulnerable populations.
Echoing the Commissioner’s remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, identified a lack of donors and insufficient funding as major challenges hampering the fight against the scourge.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladeinde, called for the internalization and institutionalization of the HIV response, urging less dependence on external aid to effectively curb the menace.
