Anambra State is being considered as a pilot state for the implementation of the National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030.
The plan was presented to the Executive Director/Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, when he paid an advocacy visit to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Secretariat in Abuja.
The visit reinforced Anambra State’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s HIV response, and provided a platform to deepen national collaboration, strengthen technical partnerships, and align Anambra State’s HIV response with national priorities.
Okeke, who was newly appointed as the head of ANSACA, was received by Dr. James Anenih, Director of Community Prevention and Care Services at NACA, alongside Dr. Sam Anya of UNAIDS.
During the engagement, Dr. Okeke articulated a forward-looking vision focused on expanding HIV awareness, prevention, and testing services to the grassroots across all local government areas in Anambra.
He emphasized targeted interventions for key and vulnerable populations, data-driven programming, and community ownership as critical pillars for reducing new infections and accelerating progress toward epidemic control.
In response, Dr. Anenih, who stood in for the Director-General of NACA, commended the clarity, energy, and strategic direction of the Anambra response, noting its strong alignment with Nigeria’s new HIV prevention priorities.
A major highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan (2026–2030) to the ANSACA Executive Director.
In recognition of Anambra State’s readiness, strategic positioning, and commitment to innovation, the state is being considered as a pilot for the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan, positioning it as a leading model for translating national policy into impactful, community-level results.
Contributing further to the discussion, Dr. Sam Anya of UNAIDS underscored the importance of a multisectoral response, stressing alignment with the “One Strategy” framework that integrates national and state-level HIV efforts.
He highlighted the need for sustained collaboration across government, civil society, and development partners to ensure efficiency, accountability, and measurable impact.
Anya said the visit marks a major milestone towards stronger federal-state synergy, opening a renewed era of collaboration, innovation, and technical support.
