The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has clarified reports claiming the state recorded 10,430 HIV cases in 2025, stressing that the figure does not represent 10,430 new infections.
According to the report, Lagos recorded 10,430 HIV cases, followed by Rivers with 6,287, Kano with 6,106, Akwa Ibom with 5,413, Taraba with 4,854 and Benue with 4,804.
Reacting to the reports, LSACA explained that the figure refers to people who were diagnosed through HIV testing programmes during 2025 and not individuals who contracted the virus within the year.
“The 10,430 cases should not be interpreted as 10,430 new HIV infections that occurred in 2025. Rather, they represent individuals who were diagnosed and recorded through HIV testing services during the year,” the agency said.
The agency noted that many of those diagnosed may have been living with HIV for years before getting tested and receiving confirmation of their status.
LSACA also explained that Lagos' large population and position as Nigeria's commercial hub naturally result in more people accessing healthcare services in the state.
According to the agency, residents, workers, students and visitors from different parts of the country frequently seek medical care in Lagos, contributing to the higher number of diagnoses.
It further stated that Lagos has one of the country's strongest HIV testing, surveillance and reporting systems, making it more likely to detect previously undiagnosed cases.
The agency added that as HIV testing services continue to expand across the state, more people are coming forward to know their status and are being linked to life-saving treatment.
LSACA urged the public not to misinterpret the statistics, emphasizing that increased diagnoses reflect improved testing and case detection rather than a sudden spike in new HIV infections.
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