Nigeria has successfully enrolled over 6.5 million pregnant women in its triple elimination programme, marking a major milestone in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.
Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism at Global Fund, made this announcement at the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund on Tuesday in Abuja. The meeting was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Ibrahim noted that this achievement reflects better data management, expanded health facility coverage, and targeted interventions across the country.
He stated that Nigeria had previously lagged behind some West African nations in reaching pregnant women with essential health services. “99 per cent of pregnant women were tested for HIV in 2025, surpassing the national target of 95 per cent, while parental and partner testing reached 95 per cent,” he said. He emphasized that enrolling over 6.5 million women represents the most significant effort to date in preventing mother-to-child transmission of these diseases.
According to Ibrahim, Nigeria recorded 42,000 new HIV infections in 2025, with antiretroviral (ARV) coverage at 77 per cent, highlighting areas that need further attention. He added that this initiative and other innovations would help the country move from basic care to quality care at all levels of the health system.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s achievements in tuberculosis and malaria. “2.8 million community-based TB cases were detected in 2025, with over 3,000 successfully treated. The NLI target for 2026 of 500,000 participants has been exceeded, with 1.1 million enrolled, reflecting strong programme implementation. 98 per cent of malaria cases detected in supported health facilities were treated on time, while 97 per cent received appropriate treatment,” he said. Ibrahim noted that approximately 8,800 facilities, including those supported by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), participated in malaria interventions.
He added that “92 per cent of health facilities reported data on time, demonstrating improved health management information systems.” Nigeria also uses digital portable chest X-rays to detect TB and HIV among vulnerable populations and local communities.
Ibrahim explained that the Global Fund provided three million U.S. dollars for GCA and 701 million U.S. dollars in programmatic funding, requiring careful coordination to ensure optimal use. He highlighted that 22 warehouses have been upgraded and equipped with resources, including forklifts, to strengthen the health supply chain.
He also mentioned Nigeria’s progress in addressing staffing shortages, low ARV coverage, and data gaps, stressing that this has been achieved through strategic planning, partner mapping, and integrated interventions.
He concluded: “Through coordinated efforts, improved data systems, and quality care initiatives, Nigeria can continue to close gaps in HIV, TB, and malaria programmes and maximise opportunities to save lives.
