The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has revealed that condom distribution in Nigeria declined by 55 percent in the last year, raising concerns about weakening HIV prevention efforts in the country.
The data was released on Tuesday during the launch of the 2025 World AIDS Day report titled “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.” UNAIDS warned that the global fight against HIV is experiencing its most severe disruption in decades.
According to the agency, Nigeria’s sharp decline in condom distribution mirrors a broader global trend marked by significant setbacks in prevention, testing, and community-led support services. UNAIDS noted that in 13 countries, fewer people began HIV treatment over the past year.
The report also highlighted that about 450,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa have lost access to “mother mentors” — community health workers who help pregnant and breastfeeding women stay connected to essential care.
UNAIDS attributed the disruptions to sudden funding cuts and a worsening human rights environment in several countries, warning that these challenges threaten years of progress in the HIV response.
“The funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve,” UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, said during the report presentation in Geneva.
