By comfort.
On World AIDS Day 2025 (theme: “Overcoming Disruptions; Transforming the AIDS Response”), Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, issued a powerful nationwide call:
“Every Nigerian deserves access to life-saving HIV services – free from stigma and discrimination. Today is a reminder that we must revamp our efforts and finish the job: an AIDS-free Nigeria by 2030.”
In her official statement posted on X, she celebrated the country’s progress – more people on treatment than ever, fewer mother-to-child transmissions, and expanding prevention programmes – but stressed the work is far from done.
Her Direct Message to Nigerians
- To young people: “Take charge of your health. Get tested. Know your status. If positive, start treatment immediately – it’s free and it works.”
- To communities: “Show compassion. End stigma. Support, don’t shun.”
- To everyone: “Let us renew our commitment today. Together, we will end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.”
Quick Facts – Nigeria & HIV 2025
- ~1.9 million Nigerians living with HIV
- 140,000 new infections yearly (down from 210,000 a decade ago)
- 1.4 million on life-saving ARVs
- Mother-to-child transmission dropped below 10% in many states
- Yet stigma remains the biggest barrier to testing and treatment
This year’s global theme recognises how conflicts, climate crises and economic shocks have disrupted HIV services worldwide. Nigeria, despite its own challenges, has kept treatment coverage rising – proof, the First Lady says, that finishing the job is possible.
Today, thousands of red-ribbon events are holding across the country, from free testing drives in Abuja and Lagos to awareness walks in rural communities.
The First Lady ended with a simple but bold line: “Happy World AIDS Day 2025. The end of AIDS starts with us.”
Let’s prove her right. Get tested. Support someone living with HIV. End the stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay2025 #EndAIDS2030 #RemiTinubu #KnowYourStatus #NigeriaFightsHIV
