The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has stressed the need for Nigeria to take bold and decisive steps to keep HIV prevention, treatment, and support services strong—especially as foreign aid continues to shrink and public interest wanes.

Speaking ahead of the 7th National Council on AIDS (NCA) meeting set to hold in Lagos, Dr. Ilori explained that Nigeria’s specially unified platform for technical reviews would be key to shaping sustainable strategies for managing HIV, even as global support policies keep changing.

The high-level meeting, themed “Advancing National HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid,” will bring together top government officials, civil society groups, development partners, and community representatives to discuss practical ways forward.

Dr. Ilori described the Council as a critical hub that allows partners from all sectors—including those working on tuberculosis, malaria, reproductive health, civil society, and faith-based groups—to coordinate efforts under one national sustainability plan.

“This 7th meeting is not just to review what we’ve achieved so far. It will help us consolidate on our HIV sustainability efforts and give technical direction for the years ahead,” he said.

Discussions will focus on advancing Nigeria’s HIV agenda despite the changing global funding climate, multi-sectoral approaches for sustaining the fight against HIV and related diseases, and strengthening local structures and health systems.

NACA also encouraged stakeholders to submit policy and implementation proposals that could be adopted to shape Nigeria’s HIV response.

The National Council on AIDS was established under the NACA Act of 2006 as the top body to coordinate Nigeria’s multi-sectoral approach to fighting HIV/AIDS. Its work remains vital in ensuring that gains made over the years are not lost, especially as international funding becomes less certain.