The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), has officially launched the Nigeria State-Level Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey (AIS) in Lagos. The initiative is supported by key national and international partners including the APIN-PHIS3 Project, PEPFAR, U.S. CDC, NACA, and other stakeholders.
The launch event, held on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, brought together senior government officials, health experts, development partners, and community leaders under the theme: “Every Step Counts: Towards an HIV-Free Nigeria.”
The survey will be conducted across 205 Enumeration Areas, covering 6,150 households and involving approximately 11,397 participants aged 15 to 64 years, across all 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos State. It aims to provide reliable data on HIV treatment coverage and viral load suppression among adults—critical indicators for tracking progress towards HIV epidemic control.
Declaring the event open, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, highlighted the significance of the survey in strengthening evidence-based planning for HIV response.
“This survey is crucial in assessing HIV prevalence, treatment coverage, and viral suppression across Lagos. We rely on the cooperation of communities, security agencies, and field teams to ensure its success,” he stated.
Representing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Ibrahim Dalhatu, Deputy Director, Epidemiology and Strategic Information, described the AIS as a people-centred exercise, noting its importance in guiding responsive public health action.
“Although this is a scientific survey, its success hinges on community access and support. Our focus remains on helping Nigeria achieve epidemic control through quality data and collaboration,” he said.
Also speaking on behalf of NASCP’s National Coordinator, Dr. Chioma Ukanwa, Deputy Director, Prevention at NASCP, emphasized that the AIS is a globally recognized initiative, vital for guiding strategic HIV interventions.
“We urge community leaders to mobilize support and cooperation for field teams. Community participation is key to the survey’s credibility and success,” she noted.
Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Mr. Francis Agbo, echoed the importance of the survey as a tool for measuring progress and informing future strategies.
In his remarks, Dr. Williams Nwachukwu, Deputy Director in the Surveillance Department of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), pledged the agency’s support in ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis.
“We are committed to the integrity of the data—ensuring samples are well preserved, tested, and accurately analyzed with timely feedback,” he assured.
Dr. Dare Onimode, Project Director of the APIN-PHIS3 Project, described the launch and town hall engagement as a pivotal milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing HIV response.
“This forum allows us to secure community buy-in and stakeholder support. The achievements recorded so far are a testament to our collective efforts,” he said.
The Lagos State Government and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the ART Impact Survey delivers credible data that will inform policy, improve treatment coverage, and ultimately bring Nigeria closer to achieving an HIV-free future.
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