NEWS
Nigeria’s HIV Burden Hits 1.70 Million as Benue, Akwa Ibom and Lagos Record Highest Number of Patients Receiving Treatment as National Data Repository Reveals State-by-State Figures for May 2026
Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS has once again come into sharp national focus following the release of updated treatment data from the National Data Repository, showing that about 1.70 million people are currently receiving HIV treatment across the country as of May 13, 2026.
The latest figures reveal significant disparities among states, with Benue State topping the national chart as the state with the highest number of patients currently on HIV treatment, followed closely by Akwa Ibom and Lagos States.
According to the data, Benue State recorded 195,305 patients currently undergoing treatment, maintaining its long-standing position among the states most affected by the HIV epidemic in Nigeria. Akwa Ibom followed with 158,201 patients, while Lagos State ranked third with 135,918 patients currently receiving antiretroviral therapy.
The report further showed that Rivers State recorded 90,055 patients on treatment, while Nasarawa State accounted for 65,996 cases. The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, followed with 62,627 patients, highlighting the continued public health challenge facing both urban and rural communities across the federation.
Kaduna State recorded 58,576 patients on treatment, while Cross River State had 57,765. Enugu State posted 55,478 patients, closely followed by Delta State with 52,475 cases.
Taraba State recorded 51,840 patients currently receiving treatment, while Abia State accounted for 50,038. Imo State followed with 47,863 patients, Plateau State recorded 46,618, and Anambra State had 46,602 people currently on HIV treatment.
In the northern region, Adamawa State recorded 42,074 patients, Kano had 41,093, while Kogi State posted 37,301. Oyo and Niger States recorded 33,133 and 33,057 patients respectively.
Other states with notable figures include Ogun with 31,822 patients, Bauchi with 29,745, Edo with 29,256, and Gombe State with 28,037.
Osun State recorded 25,018 patients receiving treatment, while Borno posted 24,527. Ondo State accounted for 22,455 patients, and Kebbi State recorded 20,803.
Bayelsa State had 19,549 patients currently undergoing treatment, Katsina recorded 18,682, while Ebonyi State posted 15,474 cases. Kwara recorded 14,997, Jigawa had 14,302, and Zamfara State accounted for 13,813 patients on treatment.
Ekiti State recorded 12,356 patients, while Yobe and Sokoto States posted the lowest figures on the national chart with 10,716 and 10,511 patients respectively.
Health experts say the figures do not necessarily represent new infections alone, but rather the number of individuals currently enrolled and retained in HIV treatment programmes across Nigeria. They noted that the data reflects ongoing efforts by government agencies, international partners, and healthcare providers to improve access to antiretroviral therapy and sustain treatment coverage nationwide.
The latest statistics also underscore the urgent need for sustained awareness campaigns, early testing, improved healthcare funding, and stronger community-based interventions aimed at reducing new infections and ensuring that more Nigerians living with HIV continue to access life-saving treatment.
Despite years of aggressive intervention programmes, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest HIV burdens globally, making continued investment in prevention, testing, and treatment a critical national priority.