First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Champions HIV/AIDS Awareness, Calls for End to Stigma

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Champions HIV/AIDS Awareness, Calls for End to Stigma

Abuja, March 26, 2025– Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for increased support, love, and an end to the stigma faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. She emphasized that eliminating the disease requires a collective and sustained effort from all stakeholders.  

Speaking at the official launch of the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign in the South-South geopolitical zone, the First Lady reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to joining other African nations in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target by 2030. This global target aims to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.  

Tackling HIV Among Women and Children  

Senator Tinubu highlighted that the Free to Shine campaign is focused on:  

- Reducing new HIV infections among women of reproductive age  

- Preventing mother-to-child transmission  

- Ensuring that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support  

She revealed that, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, over 100,000 children and nearly 2 million adults in Nigeria were living with HIV as of 2024. Shockingly, many infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not tested within the first two months of birth due to a lack of awareness.  

“It is heartbreaking that just two years ago, 15,000 children aged 0-14 died from AIDS-related illnesses,” she lamented. “Each of these children represented not just a statistic but a future full of potential that was sadly cut short.”  

The First Lady urged all Nigerians to get tested, know their status, and access treatment, stressing that HIV is not a death sentence. She linked the campaign’s goals to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes healthcare as a key pillar of national development.  

Government and Partners Reaffirm Commitment  

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, dismissed rumors of a shortage of antiretroviral drugs in the country. He acknowledged that HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis remain major health challenges, contributing to maternal and child mortality. However, he assured Nigerians that initiatives like Free to Shine are crucial to revitalizing the healthcare system and securing a healthier future.  

During the event, HIV survivors shared their experiences of living with the virus for 26 and 16 years, emphasizing the importance of family support and adherence to treatment. Some survivors also called for subsidized or free liver and kidney function tests for HIV patients, a request Dr. Salako promised to address immediately.  

Global and Local Partners Pledge Support  

World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS. Other key partners, including UNICEF, NACA, and NASCP, also pledged their continued support for the campaign.  

As part of its advocacy, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) is leading the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign across Nigeria. With successful flag-offs in the South-South, North Central, and North West, attention now shifts to the North East, with three more geopolitical zones yet to be covered.  

This nationwide campaign aims to mobilize resources and strengthen commitments from stakeholders to reduce new HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis infections among young women and youth.  

Looking Ahead 

With momentum building across the country, the First Lady remains steadfast in her vision for a healthier Nigeria, free from HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Her call for awareness, testing, and treatment access underscores the urgency of collective action in eradicating the disease.  

SIGNED

Busola Kukoyi  

SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria