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The Plateau State Ministry of Health has revealed that 51,370 persons are currently living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
It also disclosed that over 30,000 pregnant women were tested for HIV between January and September 2025, and 39 of them tested positive and have already been linked to care.
The ministry further noted that HIV remains more prevalent in Jos North LGA (Plateau North), Mangu LGA (Plateau Central), and Langtang North and Shendam LGAs (Plateau South).
This was made known by the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, during a press briefing in Jos, the state capital, to commemorate the 2025 World AIDS Day.
He said, “It is a day we honour the millions of lives lost to HIV and celebrate the progress made in ending AIDS as a public health threat.
“The theme for this year, ‘Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response’, reminds us that ending AIDS is not the responsibility of one institution alone. It requires the collective effort of government, communities, and individuals working hand in hand.
“The theme challenges us to strengthen community-led health services, ensure that no one is left behind due to stigma and discrimination, invest in programmes that prioritise access to health and dignity, and build resilient systems that protect the rights of all people living with HIV.”
He added that scientific advancements and strong political will over the years have helped reduce new HIV infections and drastically improve the quality of life for people living with the virus, noting that the state has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Ba’amlong disclosed that in 2024, Plateau State recorded 2,786 new HIV infections and 460 deaths.
“In 2025, a total of 98,403 people were screened for HIV between January and September, and we found 1,910 positive cases, out of which 1,859 persons are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This indicates that the infection is still very much with us,” he stated.
He explained that the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) in Plateau is about 51,370 persons, with 47,056 of them (14,001 males and 33,055 females) already on ART as of September 2025. Among children, 1,835 are currently on ART (882 males and 953 females).
He also revealed that 30,743 pregnant women were tested for HIV between January and September 2025, with 39 testing positive and linked to care.
“The statistics above may show a steady decline, which is due to the concerted efforts of our partners, and governments at the federal, state, and local levels — and in particular our healthcare workers.
“We have worked to increase awareness of HIV prevention and treatment. Our state has expanded testing services to over 900 health facilities, including faith-based and traditional birth homes, targeting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This has made it easier for individuals to know their status and seek appropriate care, while strengthening partnerships with non-governmental organisations which play essential roles in outreach and education.”
In commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day, Ba’amlong urged: “We call on communities to support the fight against stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS.
“We call on healthcare workers to continue delivering care with utmost professionalism and empathy.
“We call on young people to take responsibility for their health through awareness, prevention, and testing.
“We call on our partners to continue collaborating with us as we strengthen our HIV response,” he stressed.
Worlds AIDS Day: Over 51,000 persons living with HIV in Plateau – Health Commissioner reveals
