A Crisis We Can’t Ignore: How the U.S. Foreign Aid Suspension Endangers Nigeria’s HIV Fight
Before you begin to read… If you think about it, you would agree that, in recent years, Nigeria has made commendable progress in the fight against HIV. The 2020 National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework sets ambitious targets: by 2030, we aim for 95-95-95—meaning 95% of people with HIV diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. But now, a single order from the U.S. government threatens to undo all this hard work. All to what gain? On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pausing U.S. foreign aid for 90 days to reevaluate spending. For many countries, this could be worrisome, but for Nigeria, it is life or death. Here’s how we know! Nigeria relies heavily on PEPFAR (The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)—one of the biggest sources of funding for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention. PEPFAR has been one of the backbones of our progress. This 90-day funding freeze could mean: 🧡 No access to life-saving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): People living with HIV need ART every day to stay healthy. And for a country like Nigeria, where any delay in funding could cause a shortage of drugs, forcing people to miss doses or stop treatment altogether. This puts their lives at risk. 💜 HIV testing and prevention programs shutting down: Without testing, many will not know their status, leading to more new infections and increased virus spread. 💛 Community outreach and support services collapsing: Many programs help people stay on treatment, reduce stigma, and provide counselling. If these stop, adherence rates will drop, and more people will struggle with untreated HIV. Should we even talk about some indirect impacts on the economy, as there would be a loss of jobs? Or ask the question, “Why is the Nigerian government still depending on foreign intervention for its healthcare?” But here’s the effect it’s already having. Sam, a 27-year-old student in Ijebu, has been living with HIV for five years. Through PEPFAR-supported programs, he has accessed ART and safe sex commodities, kept his viral load suppressed, and lived his life to his dreams without fear of health complications. However, with the funding cut, Sam’s access to medication is now uncertain. He wants to come to Lagos at the next available chance he can get, but he’d be coming to meet closed OSSs. He has been panicking because he knows that if he misses his daily pills, his viral load could increase, making him vulnerable to opportunistic infections and even treatment failure. Sam is not alone. Think about the other Serodiscordant couple(s) who have already begun their CAB-LA shots. Would their shots be available next month? These and many others in Nigeria face similar risks, and without immediate intervention, the progress made in the fight against HIV could be irreversibly damaged. The bigger picture: Nigeria’s Economic Crisis Under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, a national ARV program was launched on World Aids Day (1 December 2001). ART was provided in selected tertiary hospitals and was made available for people for a small amount of money (₦1,000) at first. Still, it was later discovered that many people couldn’t even afford this drug (for quick clarity, HIV treatment isn’t all about the drugs, there’s care and support etc), imagine now that Nigeria is already facing an unstable economy, high inflation, and a struggling healthcare system. People are left with the option of choosing between buying food and getting medicine. Would they be able to afford it if it is being sold? Now, with the funding cut, even those who depend on free treatment may find their access blocked. Just imagine telling someone who has fought so hard to stay healthy that their medication may not be available next month. Imagine the fear of a mother who needs treatment to prevent passing HIV to her baby—and now she’s left in uncertainty. What this means for our 95-95-95 Goal We were on our way to ending HIV as a public health crisis. But without funding, Nigeria may fall behind, and millions could be affected. The 95-95-95 dream will become a nightmare if we don’t act fast. But let’s keep hope alive, for you are not alone. TPLPI stands with you As organizations work tirelessly to maintain stability in this crisis, TPLPI wants to assure you that you are not alone. We remain committed to ensuring the well-being of those affected. In these difficult times, you can still: 💜 Get your medication regardless of your status—whether you need PrEP or ARVs, as soon as you can.2. 💛Practice protective sex to avoid contracting STIs or warts, and stay informed about safer sex practices. 3. 🧡Use credible sources to remain informed: As they say, fear kills faster. you should avoid consuming/spreading fake, unverifiable news. If at all you need clarifications of any sort, you can contact your primary place of care.4. 💙Focus on positive behaviors and lifestyles like reaching out to your friends, families, partners. What can we do? We must raise our voices, demand action, and ensure that our government, global leaders, and organizations step in before it’s too late. 👉 Speak up! Share this post and spread awareness.👉 Support local organizations working on HIV response in Nigeria.👉 Advocate for emergency funding solutions to keep treatment accessible. Every second counts. A 90-day pause should not cost lives.
