The Lagos State Government has dismissed widespread reports claiming the state recorded 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025, clarifying that the figure refers to newly diagnosed cases, not people who newly contracted the virus.
The clarification was made on Thursday by the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LASACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, who said the reports had been widely misinterpreted and risked causing unnecessary panic among residents.
According to Animashaun, the 10,430 figure represents people who tested positive during the reporting period, many of whom may have been living with HIV for years before seeking testing and diagnosis.
She explained that Lagos, being Nigeria’s most populous state and a major healthcare referral centre, naturally records high testing volumes and receives patients from across the country, resulting in higher diagnosis figures than most other states.
To highlight the state’s progress in HIV response, Animashaun disclosed that Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 positive cases, representing a 2.4 per cent positivity rate.
She added that in the first quarter of 2026, the state carried out 179,229 HIV tests, detecting 3,390 positive cases, while the positivity rate declined further to 1.9 per cent.
According to her, the declining positivity rate despite increased testing is a positive epidemiological indicator that suggests improved control of the HIV epidemic.
Animashaun urged residents not to panic but to continue accessing HIV testing, prevention and treatment services.
She also encouraged the public to rely on verified health information and reject stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government announced that it has become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to directly procure antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, a move aimed at strengthening access to treatment and ensuring continuity of care for people living with HIV.
Animashaun reiterated that HIV remains both preventable and manageable, stressing that early diagnosis and consistent treatment enable people living with the virus to lead healthy and productive lives.
“Lagos is not defined by the number of people it tests.
Lagos is defined by the strength of its response,” she said.
