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The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) joined the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and other stakeholders to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, themed “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.”

This year’s observance highlighted the collective responsibility of stakeholders to safeguard progress made in the national HIV response, strengthen resilience amid ongoing disruptions, and advance efforts toward achieving an AIDS-free Nigeria.

Activities to mark the day in Abuja included a press conference, community outreaches in areas such as Jahi, Apo Dutse, Wuse to provide free testing for HIV and other diseases, a basketball tournament, religious services at the National Mosque and the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, a candlelight memorial, and a commemoration event at the banquet hall of Aso Villa in Abuja.

At the commemoration event in Abuja, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, urged Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda. She emphasized that “we must work together to achieve a HIV-free Nigeria by 2030.”

In her keynote remarks, the Director General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to sustaining gains in HIV control. She stated: “On this World AIDS Day, we renew our resolve to sustain the Nigerian HIV response. Nigeria’s HIV response is stronger than ever; we have achieved 87-98-95 progress toward global targets and cut new infections by 46% in a decade.”

She further called on government institutions, civil society, implementing partners, and communities “to unite in purpose and action for an AIDS-free generation.”

IHVN featured in a panel discussion on “HIV Prevention as a Frontier for Health Security.”  During this session, IHVN Program Manager Prevention, Mr. Ngozi Ajaero, highlighted the institute’s achievements and ongoing efforts, including implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies, community-led interventions, and adoption of innovative biomedical tools such as Lenacapavir.

Mr. Ajaero emphasized that these innovations are critical in addressing persistent gaps, particularly among young people and People at High Risk of HIV Acquisition (PHRH).

Earlier during the national flag-off of World AIDS Day activities at NACA Headquarters in Abuja, IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to innovation, partnership, and quality service delivery.

IHVN also supported NACA in the weeklong provision of free HIV Testing Services and awareness creation efforts through the media. 

The Director Prevention Care and Treatment Services at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr. Helen Omuh has said that the Institute is utilizing strategic approaches to sustain the provision of quality public health services despite global funding changes.

Dr. Omuh said this at the 9th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Abuja. She added that IHVN is leveraging technology for targeted community testing, carrying out hot-spot mapping and providing integrated services for sustained response to public health programs.

While commending the journalists for their contribution in creating awareness on health, she said that “Nigerians deserve quality care. At IHVN, we are constantly innovating and working with experts and clients to improve service provision and processes while nurturing partnerships.”

At the conference themed, “Domestic Resource Mobilization in the face of Dwindling Foreign Grants and Aid,” Dr. Omuh explained that the Institute has expanded its intervention areas beyond HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, to non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, water sanitation and hygiene and health systems strengthening.

Also at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako said that “durable health outcomes are created where sound policy, predictable domestic finance and strategic partnerships converge.”

Dr. Salako, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health System Strengthening, Dr Babatunde Ladi-Akinyemi, said that over the years, the country has demonstrated committed response to foreign investments through counterpart funding.

“Nigeria’s public finances are undergoing necessary rebalancing, but this also means we cannot rely on simple substitution of foreign grants with unfunded domestic promises. Our response, therefore, must be strategic, evidence-based and audacious.”

He explained that the Ministry is actively diversifying financing sources by structuring public-private partnerships for vaccine logistics, laboratory networks and innovative last-mile service delivery.

In his welcome address, FCT Chapter ANHEJ President, Mr. Joseph Kadiri explained that the conference provides a space for crucial national conversations about the survival, stability and progress of the country’s health sector. He stressed the important role of journalists in shaping public perception, influencing policy decisions and ensuring that government commitments are made and fulfilled.

“Through our reporting, we spotlight the realities faced by Nigerian families, amplify the voices of the underserved and hold the system accountable to its promise of equitable, people-cantered healthcare for all.”

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has participated in the World’s Largest Lung Health Conference, the 2025 Union World Conference on Lung Health, in Copenhagen, Denmark from November 18^th to 21^st.

The conference brings together government and non-government agencies, charities, donors and funders, professional groups, patient groups, civil society organisations, clinicians, managers, policy makers, front-line workers and implementers, scientists, patients and survivors, advocates and the civil society to address tuberculosis and lung diseases.

At the conference, IHVN presented 19 e-posters and 12 oral abstracts at the event highlighting research findings in areas such as community approaches for tuberculosis prevention and screening, private sector involvement in tuberculosis case finding and use of digital technologies.

IHVN also collaborated with Red AID Nigeria, Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), Caritas Nigeria, KNCV Nigeria and Damien Foundation to present 12 e-posters and ten oral presentations at the event

IHVN Director of Special Projects, Dr Aderonke Agbaje said the conference has been engaging with significant insights gained in tuberculosis science and implementation.

“It has provided a rich environment for IHVN to share experiences with experts on implementation and research efforts, while networking with experts, researchers and product developers. This experience has reinvigorated the team to do more in addressing inequities in TB response,” she said.

By participating both in number and depth of research, IHVN continues to collaborate in shaping global conversations around TB and HIV, even as it applies these insights within the country.

Click Link to view Abstract Presentation details.

In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognize “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”

According to the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Olu Alabi, this recognition covers overall employee performance in dressing, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership and interpersonal skills, punctuality, and adherence to company values and principles, amongst other things.

For October 2025, IHVN celebrates Kevin Chikodili Ugwuanyi, Temitope Olukomogbon, Shumtywal Peace Danjuma, Daharatu Yahaya, Tolulope Olufemi, Ayomide Olumefun, Fausat Alaya-Bashir, Uchechukwu Akubelem, Safia Sani, Isaac Bajeh, Frederick Saiki, Tuamsen Shindes and Umar Aliyu, whose performance stood out in their teams.

Hearty cheers to our October star performers!

Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Africa, responsible for an estimated 533,000 deaths annually, with breast and cervical cancers accounting for the majority of cases among women.

To reduce cancer mortality through improved prevention, diagnosis, and care across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Network for Oncology Research in Sub-Saharan Africa (NORA) Consortium has hosted a five-day summer school in Abuja.

The event was hosted by the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at Institute of Human Virology Nigeria in collaboration with the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN) and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). It attracted participants from NORA partner institutions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa.

IRCE, which is one of the NORA partner institutions, welcomed researchers, clinicians and policy makers to the event, themed “Building Capacity for Cancer Research and Control in Africa,”

Through plenary sessions, workshops, and hands-on training, participants explored innovative solutions to the challenges of early detection, limited treatment access, and inadequate data for cancer control in low-resource settings.

Speaking at the Summer School’s Opening Session, NORA Nigeria Principal Investigator, Dr. Elima Jedy-Agba explained that the program comprises five African countries working collaboratively to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through research and innovation.

She noted that the event convened 155 delegates from 25 countries, including experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and the United States.

“Our aim is to produce evidence that shapes public health policy and enhances cancer outcomes for women across Sub-Saharan Africa. Since NORA Consortium began in 2023, it has supported the establishment and strengthening of cancer registries across partner countries, enhancing data quality and comparability. It has also trained over 100 early-career researchers, clinicians, and data officers in cancer epidemiology, implementation science, and data management. NORA continues to generate multi-country data on breast and cervical cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and treatment outcomes, informing national policy dialogues,” Dr. Jedy-Agba stated.

IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku said that cancer registries are key in addressing cancer in the country.

“We have done a good job in moving data forward but what we have not done is have quality data across the continent that really shows what the problem is and what our intervention is doing to tackle the problem, now through the cancer registries, we have been able to improve that situation across the country,” Prof. Abimiku said.

Also at the program, the Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the event demonstrates a collective commitment to strengthening cancer control systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dr. Salako was represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, Dr. Ololade Dosunmu-Adeyemi. He said that through partnerships such as NORA and AFRCRN, Nigeria is moving closer to a future where every citizen, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can benefit from timely detection, diagnosis, and care informed by real data.