Nigeria

Key Results in 2022-2023

Access to HIV information and services significantly expanded among young people including through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and over 77.7 million adolescents and young people gained knowledge on HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), rights and gender-based violence across the country.
Community-based organizations, including associations of women living with HIV, young people and sex workers are empowered to lead the HIV response and advocate for the rights of vulnerable and key populations.
More than 20 000 women and girls who survived violence benefited from healthcare, psychological and legal support.
Guided prioritization of US$ 322 million successfully mobilized from the Global Fund to scale up the HIV response in 2024-2026.

Joint Programme Results

Nigeria continued to strengthen HIV prevention and SRH literacy and leadership among adolescent and young people, thanks to the strategic support from the Joint Programme. More than 77 million adolescents and young people were sensitized on these topics through multimedia platforms (UNFPA, UNESCO). Across eight states, 100 adolescents and young people were empowered to take leadership roles to work with the government and civil society organizations to ensure access to quality HIV prevention services. Over 1000 people, including youth and sex workers were also trained to serve as peer educators on HIV prevention (UNFPA).

A total of 258 141 students received life skills education through co-curricular and mentorship activities to prevent HIV, unintended pregnancy and gender-based violence (UNFPA, UNESCO). Capacity building initiatives for 1881 teachers and educators improved access to quality CSE among young learners, while the sensitization of 34 386 traditional and religious leaders, parents and guardians further created an enabling environment for CSE and promoted gender-transformative attitudes for better health outcomes among adolescents and young people (UNESCO).

Access to and uptake of SRH services and referrals among female sex workers increased with the establishment of 20 female sex workers support groups and the training of 45 female sex workers as peer educators. A total of 4 million condoms were distributed among female sex workers and their clients, adolescents and young people, people living with HIV and the general population in internally displaced people’s camps in 12 states (UNFPA). Moreover, during a five-day outreach initiative led in collaboration with the civil society organization BYAIN, 13 232 people had voluntary HIV testing in health centres across Abuja city (ILO).

As part of a peer-to-peer programme, 456 792 young people increased their knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights and prevention of gender-based violence. Across 12 states, more than 20 000 women and girls who survived gender-based violence benefitted from psychological support, legal counselling, case management and referral services through the newly established 24-hour gender-based violence response centre, thanks to technical and financial support from the Joint Programme. Other health services were provided to an additional 4000 survivors of gender-based violence. Around 21 000 people actively participated in various activities aimed at promoting positive masculinity and equitable gender norms across the country (UNFPA).

Following intensive advocacy by the Joint Programme, the national HIV/AIDS policy was revised to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services to all and address stigma and discrimination, including in the world of work (ILO, WHO). More than 10 000 people improved their knowledge of creating workplaces that are free from harassment and violence and that promote diversity, inclusivity and gender equality. In addition, 300 young people living with HIV from community-based organizations were empowered with essential tools to address systemic barriers and better advocate for the rights of and employment opportunities for their peers (ILO).

The Joint Programme further supported various initiatives to promote the rights and protect people living with and affected by HIV. For instance, the revision of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and the National Policy on Social Protection led to the inclusion of vulnerable and key populations as beneficiaries of social protection mechanisms. A new National Social Register was also launched enabling vulnerable key populations to receive financial support (ILO). In addition, the Ministry of Justice implemented the Access to Justice Learning Pathway training to improve knowledge of the national law and policies among key populations (UNDP).

Governance and capacity of community-based organizations were strengthened during the 2022-2023 biennium. For instance, 57 executives of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASHWAN) improved their capacity for transformational leadership (UN Women). The Key Populations Secretariat, dedicated to empowering key population groups across the country, also developed and started implementation of its Strengthening and Renewal Plan to further improve coordination, representation, advocacy and accountability for key population communities in Nigeria (UNDP).

With the Joint Programme’s support, the Government of Nigeria successfully mobilized US$ 322 million from the Global Fund to scale up the HIV response in 2024-2026 with a strong focus on HIV prevention. The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency was also supported to develop its domestic resources mobilization plan and raise an additional US$ 2 million from the Global Fund (UNAIDS Secretariat).