By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
CIVIL Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) has welcomed the adoption of the 2026 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, describing it as a renewed global commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The organisation said the declaration, adopted at the 2026 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, provides a critical roadmap for sustaining gains recorded in the global HIV response over the next five years.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Hamza Aliyu, CiSHAN noted that the declaration comes at a time when HIV interventions worldwide are facing increasing pressure from declining international funding, competing national priorities and persistent challenges relating to human rights, equity and access to services.
According to the organisation, the overwhelming support demonstrated by member states underscores the global community’s belief that ending AIDS remains achievable if governments, other stakeholders and affected populations work together with commitment and urgency.
CiSHAN observed that communities have continued to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s HIV response, with community-based organisations.
Others are networks of people living with HIV, youth groups, women-led organisations, faith-based institutions and grassroots actors providing essential services to vulnerable populations.
These groups, according to the organization, have remained at the forefront of HIV testing, treatment literacy, adherence counselling, stigma reduction, TB/HIV referrals, community-led monitoring, advocacy and accountability among populations often left behind by conventional healthcare systems.
It stressed that community actors should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of interventions but as trusted partners, service connectors, advocates and monitors whose contributions are indispensable to achieving national HIV targets.
CiSHAN particularly highlighted the importance of community engagement in reaching people living with HIV, adolescents, young people, women and girls, persons with disabilities, rural populations and key populations who continue to face barriers to prevention, treatment, care and support services.
The organisation, however, called on the Federal Government and state governments to significantly increase domestic investment in HIV, tuberculosis and community health systems, insisting that international support should complement rather than replace government responsibility.
It urged authorities to demonstrate stronger ownership of the HIV response through increased budgetary allocations, prompt release of funds, social contracting with community organisations.
It also urged expanded health insurance coverage for people living with HIV and sustainable financing for prevention, treatment and care programmes.
CiSHAN further noted that the new Political Declaration aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 process and national sustainability discussions.
