Condom Distribution in Nigeria Drops by 55%, Sparking HIV Prevention Concerns — UNAIDS

Condom Distribution in Nigeria Drops by 55%, Sparking HIV Prevention Concerns — UNAIDS

Nigeria’s efforts to curb the spread of HIV have suffered a major setback as condom distribution in the country fell by 55% over the past year, according to new data released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The report describes the decline as “one of the most severe disruptions in global HIV prevention efforts in decades.” UNAIDS warns that reduced access to condoms one of the most effective tools for preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections could reverse years of progress, especially among young people and high-risk groups.

Health experts attribute the drastic drop to a combination of factors, including funding gaps, supply chain challenges, and declining donor support for sexual-health programmes. Local NGOs say the reduction is already being felt across communities, with outreach workers reporting increased difficulty in accessing free condoms for distribution.

Nigeria, which currently has one of the highest HIV burdens globally, risks witnessing a spike in new infections if urgent measures are not taken. Public health advocates have called on the government and international partners to immediately ramp up procurement, strengthen awareness campaigns, and ensure condoms remain affordable and widely available.

UNAIDS stressed that reversing this decline is essential to keeping the country on track toward its HIV-prevention targets and safeguarding the health of millions of Nigerians.