Anambra to serve as pilot state for National HIV Prevention Plan
The Anambra State Government has been selected as a potential pilot state for the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan (2026–2030).
The development follows renewed collaboration between the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and development partners.
The Executive Director and Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr Nkem Okeke, disclosed this on Wednesday.
Okeke said the state was selected during a strategic advocacy visit to the NACA Secretariat in Abuja, where he was received by Dr James Anenih, Director of Community Prevention and Care Services, alongside Dr Sam Anya United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).
He said the visit formally introduced him as the new head of ANSACA and provided a platform to strengthen coordination, deepen technical partnerships and align Anambra’s HIV response with national priorities.
Okeke said the state’s HIV strategy would prioritise expansion of awareness, prevention and testing services to grassroots communities across all local government areas, with focused interventions for key and vulnerable populations.
He also emphasised data-driven programming and community ownership as critical to reducing new infections and accelerating progress toward epidemic control.
Responding, Anenih commended Anambra State’s approach, describing it as “clear, energetic and well-aligned” with Nigeria’s evolving HIV prevention priorities.
“We are formally presenting the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan (2026–2030) to Anambra.
“Since Anambra is being considered for pilot implementation due to its strategic readiness and innovation-driven response framework,” he said.
Also speaking, Anya of UNAIDS stressed the importance of a multisectoral approach.
He noted the need for stronger alignment between federal and state strategies under the “One Strategy” framework to ensure efficiency and measurable impact.
He also called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society and development partners.
