Foreign aid freeze disrupts Lagos HIV response as 160,000 residents live with virus

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that an estimated 160,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), revealing that its testing schemes were hampered by the United States government’s freeze on foreign aid earlier this year.
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The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) reported at a press briefing marking World AIDS Day 2025 that only 222,415 HIV tests were conducted between January and September, representing only 28.9% of the previous year’s testing output.
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The disruption was linked to an Executive Order issued by US President Donald Trump in January 2025, which ordered a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid for review. While a waiver was later issued for life-saving antiretroviral drugs, prevention and community support activities were halted.
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Despite the challenges, LSACA CEO, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, noted that 147,466 persons the majority of the estimated 160,000 residents living with the virus, are currently on antiretroviral treatment (ART).
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Lagos has launched a Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign, which has successfully tested close to 10,000 residents in November.
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