This week, the Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fights AIDS, TB and Malaria, Peter Sands stated that progress against these diseases is on a knife-edge, with focus on treatment to the detriment of prevention. Several months ago, Nigeria’s news cycle was awash with headlines such as “Lagos tops Nigeria’s HIV burden as new infections hit 102,025”, and “Lagos, Benue Top HIV Burden As Nigeria Records 20,838 New Infections In Q1 2026.” It wasn’t long before every social media channel had influencers, commentators, and general analysts turning on their ring lights and pushing posts and content speaking to how Lagos is the headquarters of HIV in Nigeria. As I saw reel after reel, and feed post after post re-echoing the same narrative, I shook my head. Why? Because once again, sensational headlines had caused us to completely lose the plot. Yet again, it was exactly one year ago that spookily similar headlines had circulated about Rivers State.
The misdirected narrative around Nigeria’s HIV response: Are we ready to change it?, By Adaeze Oreh
