In the early 2000, HIV/AIDS was a serious issue in Nigeria. So many Nigerians were dying from AIDS and so many individuals and NGOs were making quick cash in the name of HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.

Discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS and those widowed and orphaned by AIDS was great and worrisome.

In response to this and as demanded by the WHO and the UN with assistant from the USAID, and Society for Family Health, the Nigerian government set up the National Action Committee for AIDS NACA and was replicated by the states as SACA and at the Local government as LACA. These committee were manned by civil servants who worked with NGOs to distribute funds and carry out enlightenment campaigns.

Despite the corruption that set in, the campaign was a success. Condom became easily accessible and acceptable to especially the young and sexually active population.

Many Nigerians including primary and secondary school children as well as undergraduates of tertiary institutions in the country became well informed about the dreaded virus. Over time even market women and the semi illiterates became knowledgeable as well.

The availability of free anti-retroviral ARV drugs was heart warming and brought relief to a populace that has been enslaved by fear of death from HIV. Despite the challenges faced by persons who attempted to get the drugs, lives were saved and still being saved. Today people are coming across close friends and family members living positively and healthy with HIV. It is now common knowledge that one can live with the virus and still achieve one’s life ambitions.

However the heightened terror attacks in the country and the abduction of the Chibok girls shifted the focus of the government from the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria. All attention and energy including financial resources seems to have been diverted to fighting rhe insurgents.

The effect of this has not been good. Information passed to the public is now limited perhaps due to lack of funding. I lost someone close a few months ago to HIV and many are dying from AIDS due to continuous education on the subject matter. Within this period, two friends of mine tested positive after I urged them to go fir testing due to my observations. These are young persons and the future of our society.

The criminalisation of homosexuality in Nigeria isn’t helping matters either. Lots of gay men mainly guys under the age of 25 are testing positive to HIV. The antigay law makes it had to reach out to homosexuals and provide HIV testing and counselling. NGOs would need to look into this and find a way else we will get to an explosive situation where over 30 percent of young boys in Nigeria would be living unknowingly with HIV/AIDS. We should bear in mind some of these are bisexuals and hence the females are endangered too.

Adapted from http://ogagasviews.com/2015/11/01/hivaids-no-longer-a-priority-issue-to-nigerians/