Anambra State Poised to Lead as Pilot for National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030

In a significant move toward deepening Nigeria’s HIV response, the Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, paid a strategic advocacy visit to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Secretariat in Abuja.
The visit underscored Anambra State’s firm commitment to advancing national efforts to curb HIV transmission and improve prevention outcomes.
Dr. Okeke was received by Dr. James Anenih, Director of Community Prevention and Care Services at NACA, alongside Dr. Sam Anya of UNAIDS.
Beyond a formal introduction of Dr. Okeke as the new head of ANSACA, the engagement served as a critical platform to strengthen collaboration between state and national actors, reinforce technical partnerships, and align Anambra’s HIV response with Nigeria’s broader strategic priorities.
During discussions, Dr. Okeke presented a forward-thinking vision centered on expanding HIV awareness, prevention, and testing services to grassroots communities across all local government areas in the state.
He emphasized the importance of targeted interventions for key and vulnerable populations, the use of data-driven programming, and fostering community ownership as essential strategies for reducing new infections and accelerating progress toward epidemic control.
In response, Dr. Anenih representing the Director-General of NACA commended the clarity and strategic direction of Anambra State’s approach, noting its strong alignment with the country’s evolving HIV prevention agenda.
A defining moment of the visit was the formal presentation of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan (2026–2030) to Dr. Okeke.
In recognition of Anambra State’s preparedness, innovation, and commitment, the state is now being considered as a pilot for the plan’s implementation.
This positions Anambra as a potential model for translating national policy into tangible, community-level impact.
Adding further insight, Dr. Sam Anya of UNAIDS highlighted the importance of a truly multisectoral response, advocating for alignment with the “One Strategy” framework that integrates efforts across national and state levels.
He stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society, and development partners to ensure accountability, efficiency, and measurable results.
This high-level engagement marks a pivotal step toward stronger federal-state synergy and signals a renewed era of coordination, innovation, and technical support. With Anambra State on track to serve as a pilot, the strengthened partnership between ANSACA, NACA, and UNAIDS is set to drive more cohesive, effective, and sustainable HIV prevention efforts across Nigeria.