ABUJA – Nigeria recorded a total of 20,838 new HIV infections between January and March 2026, according to data from the National Data Repository.

Lagos State reported the highest number of cases with 2,298, followed closely by Benue State with 1,949. Akwa Ibom ranked third with 1,159 cases, while Rivers and Anambra recorded 1,137 and 1,013 cases respectively.

Other states with significant figures include:
- Kaduna: 842
- Delta: 803
- Oyo: 763
- Ogun: 751
- Plateau: 662
- Imo: 640
- Nasarawa: 615

The Federal Capital Territory reported 579 cases, Abia 527, and Edo 512. Yobe State recorded the lowest figure with 100 new infections.

The figures were released as the Federal Government announced a major boost to the country’s health response. The government has committed an additional $346 million in co-financing for 2026 to support HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria interventions.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention.

“In the context of this major bilateral funder, the co-financing for 2026 is almost 346 million dollars additional. Mr President has already directed the Budget Office of the Federation to ensure that it is captured in the 2026 budget,” Pate said.

The minister explained that the funds would cover medical supplies, laboratory surveillance, reagents, expansion of primary healthcare, and financial protection for citizens.

Pate noted that the investment reflects Nigeria’s push for greater domestic funding amid dwindling global health financing.

“The global space is changing right in front of our eyes. Financing has become limited globally… While we have had tremendous success over the last 25 years thanks to global partnerships, the headwinds we are facing force us to think differently,” he added.

He emphasised the role of innovation and efficiency, stating that tools like Lenacapavir would help strengthen efforts to control HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria across the country.