The Federal Capital Territory Administration will provide free HIV counselling and testing as part of its activities for the 2025 World AIDS Day, with officials emphasising broader community participation in this year’s commemoration.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mrs Bola Ajao, Special Assistant to the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe. The Secretariat said the 2025 observance, themed “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” would focus on public engagement and shared responsibility.
The programme includes a one-day symposium scheduled for 2 December in Abuja. World AIDS Day, marked on 1 December, is used to review national responses to HIV and encourage renewed commitment to prevention, treatment, and care.
Director of Public Health, Dr Dan Gadzama, said the Mandate Secretary had directed the Secretariat to align its activities with global efforts to strengthen HIV awareness. “The symposium will bring together policymakers, health workers, development partners, people living with HIV/AIDS, and community members,” he said.
He added that the meeting would examine current progress and identify areas requiring coordinated action. “Stakeholders are expected to speak with one voice and work collectively toward supporting affected persons and improving services,” he said.
The State Programme Coordinator for HIV/AIDS, STIs and Viral Hepatitis, Dr Fatima Daggash, noted that World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to reflect on losses, review interventions and renew commitments to ending the disease. She said the gathering would enable frank discussions about remaining gaps and measures needed to address them.
“As part of the commemoration, free HIV counselling and testing will be offered, alongside community sensitisation activities to encourage early detection, ensure linkage to care, sustain viral suppression, and reduce stigma across communities,” the Secretariat stated.
The FCTA encouraged residents to participate and to make use of the health services provided, noting that early testing remains critical to prevention and treatment efforts.

Oyo begins World AIDS Day Programme

Meanwhile, this week, the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS commenced its activities for the 2025 World AIDS Day, placing emphasis on the need to sustain the state’s HIV response amid concerns about funding, stigma, and continued vulnerability among young people.
At a press briefing in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Agency, Dr Gbola Adetunji, said Oyo had continued to record progress in testing, treatment, and prevention, but noted that the momentum must be maintained.
“Over the years, our healthcare workers, community leaders, and people living with HIV have worked tirelessly to improve testing, treatment, and prevention,” he said.
He added that prevention programmes had been expanded through education campaigns, condom distribution, and interventions aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission. He also cited the state’s allocation of 10,000 OYSHIA health-insurance slots to people living with HIV as part of wider efforts to improve access to care.
Adetunji acknowledged support from partners including APIN, SFH, DFB, and various community-based organisations, while commending Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as an enabling environment for HIV work in the state.