By: Ameh Gabriel
When 19-year-old Blessing (not her real name) walked into a youth-friendly health centre in Surulere, Lagos, it was out of quiet desperation.
She had avoided HIV testing for years, fearing judgment, fear, and the silent stigma that travels through whispers in her neighbourhood.
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But when she finally took the step, she discovered what she had feared: she was HIV positive.
I cried,” she said. “But the counsellor told me I am not alone, and that treatment can help me live normally. That gave me hope.
Blessing’s story is not unusual in fact, it represents a growing trend in Nigerian cities.
A New Wave of Vulnerability
A new multi-city behavioural survey spanning Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu reveals that young Nigerians aged 15–24 are now among the most vulnerable to new HIV infections.
Despite national progress in reducing HIV prevalence over the last decade, experts say rising risky behaviours, misinformation on social media, and weakening prevention campaigns are fueling a new wave of vulnerability.
Dr. Vivian Ajibade, a reproductive health specialist in Lagos, explains:
Many young people don’t have accurate information. They are learning about sex and health from TikTok, gossip pages, and unverified influencers. This is dangerous.
Funding Decline, Real-world Consequences
Global slowdown in HIV progress is affecting Nigeria too. UNAIDS reports a widening funding gap internationally, and Nigeria which previously depended heavily on donor support is now grappling with underfunded health programmes.
Youth clinics are under-resourced. School campaigns are irregular. Many community-based organisations that once ran awareness drives have shut down.
The Gender Factor
Young women like Blessing remain the most affected. The new regional HIV report shows:
Adolescent girls and young women are three times more likely to contract HIV than males their age.
Gender-based violence and economic inequality increase vulnerability.
Cultural silence around sexual health leaves many without guidance or support.
Fatima Ibrahim, a gender advocate in Kano, says: “We cannot win this fight unless we protect and empower women. HIV is not just a medical issue it is a gender justice issue.”
Communities Fighting Back
Despite these challenges, grassroots efforts offer hope.
In Benue, mobile clinics move from village to village offering free testing.
In Lagos, youth-led NGOs use music, drama, and online content to spread awareness.
In Abuja, religious leaders now host health seminars to combat stigma.
These community-led models are seen as key to ending the epidemic.
Science Offers Hope
Global research teams are also making strides toward an HIV cure. Early clinical trials involving:
- CRISPR gene-editing
- Therapeutic vaccines
- Long-acting injectable treatment
- Have given scientists renewed optimism though a cure may still be years away.
The Human Side
For Blessing, hope now comes from consistent treatment, support groups, and a new sense of resilience.
“I thought my life was over. But now I know I can still go to school, get married, have children. HIV is not the end,” she said.
Her message to young Nigerians is simple:
“Don’t wait like I did. Know your status early.”
Nigeria’s Next Steps
Experts recommend:
- More investment in youth-focused health care
- Nationwide rollout of self-testing kits
- Stronger school-based sexual health education
- Programs that empower women economically and socially
- Reduction of stigma through faith and community engagement
If Nigeria is to avoid a new spike in infections, the country must act now following the science, listening to communities, and protecting its young people.