The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to boost HIV prevention among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Public-Private Partnership Engagement Workshop on Strengthening HIV Prevention Among Adolescents and Young People, held on October 24, 2025, the DG said Nigeria’s progress in reducing HIV infections must now be sustained through innovative, locally driven partnerships that prioritise the country’s youth.
She stressed that as global donor funding continues to decline, the need for private sector involvement has become not only timely but essential to achieving a sustainable national HIV response.
Full Speech by the Director-General of NACA
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY DG, NACA
AT THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP ON STRENGTHENING HIV PREVENTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN NIGERIA
OCTOBER 24, 2025
Heads and Representatives of Government Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, Representatives of the Private Sector and our co-convener Partners from the Behaviour Change Accelerator, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to join this important workshop to engage private sector partnership in order to strengthen HIV prevention among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.
I thank our partners at the Behaviour Change Accelerator (BCA) and all private sector representatives here today for joining hands with NACA in advancing a sustainable national HIV response.
Nigeria has made progress in reducing HIV infections and improving access to treatment. Yet, our response remains largely donor dependent and global funding is declining. This reality calls for new and sustainable financing and implementation models.
Adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 are at the centre of our response to HIV/AIDS. They represent over one-third of Nigeria’s population and face unique vulnerabilities, especially adolescent girls and young women. Their empowerment and protection from HIV are not just health priorities, but investments in Nigeria’s human capital.
This workshop is designed to bring the private sector on board—to explore how we can work together to increase youth access to HIV prevention information, products and services through innovation, digital technology and communication platforms.
The private sector is a critical partner in development. You have the reach, innovation and resources that can accelerate the HIV response.
Whether through digital health tools, marketing communication or corporate wellness programmes, private companies can help expand prevention efforts in ways that are efficient, scalable and sustainable.
Through this workshop, we aim to co-create solutions to design effective youth-friendly HIV prevention campaigns, leverage mobile and social media platforms and develop frameworks to measure impact.
- Integrate HIV prevention and testing into workplace health programmes.
- Support youth-focused campaigns that use relatable voices and digital platforms.
- Partner with us in scaling innovative technologies that promote safe practices and access to services.
Together, we can ensure that no young Nigerian is left behind in the journey toward an HIV-free generation.
As we begin this engagement, let us commit to transforming ideas into action, and partnerships into impact. NACA remains committed to providing leadership and coordination as we build a sustainable, inclusive and youth-driven HIV response for Nigeria.
Thank you, and I wish us all fruitful deliberations.
