Africa accounts for about 25.9 million people, representing 65 per cent of the global burden of HIV, with Nigeria contributing approximately 1.9 million cases, making it the fourth-largest HIV-burdened country globally.

An estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2023, while 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV within the same year.

In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded over $45 million to the BRILLIANT consortium to implement a cooperative agreement under the “HIV Vaccine Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA).”

The grant will enable eight African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique, to lead research to develop a vaccine effective in preventing HIV infection to end the HIV epidemic.

Speaking with journalists Thursday in Abuja, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, said that the Federal Government, through a collaborative effort led by the BRILLIANT Study, has embarked on a five-year research initiative to develop an effective vaccine for HIV.

She stated that the project, fully funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the support of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), places Nigeria as the only country among the chosen eight African nations with a site for this trial.

Ilori explained that the five-year research initiative aims to find an effective vaccine for HIV, a virus particularly prevalent among youths, which could contribute significantly to the goal of the Federal Ministry of Health in eradicating the virus.

The NACA boss stressed the importance of this project for Nigeria and the African continent: “Nigeria is one of eight African countries commissioned to work on a vaccine that will be suitable for our population. This clinical trial, part of the BRILLIANT Study, is a crucial step toward ending HIV in Africa.”

She noted that while preventive measures have significantly helped in reducing infections across the continent, the epidemic remains a public health issue, adding that this vaccine trial could significantly contribute to the goal of eradicating HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

The initiative is a joint effort involving NACA, the Federal Ministry of Health, USAID, UNAIDS, PEPFAR, and various local and international stakeholders. Dr. Ilori expressed gratitude to USAID for supporting the research, which is being conducted locally by IHVN in collaboration with various global and regional partners.

Executive Director of the IHVN International Research Centre of Excellence and Nigerian Principal Investigator for the BRILLIANT research, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, explained that the project aims to achieve significant progress toward ending HIV in Nigeria and Africa. She added that UNAIDS has given Nigeria a target to end the spread of the virus by 2030.

“This project focuses on our attempts to get a vaccine that is effective in preventing HIV infection, as, without it, it will be very difficult to end the HIV epidemic. UNAIDS has given the country a target of ending it by 2030, and we aim to make significant strides in this fight,” she said.

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Abimiku noted that sub-Saharan Africa still harbours a disproportionate burden of the global HIV infection rate, accounting for 70% of cases worldwide. “By working with our communities and ensuring widespread vaccine access when it becomes available, we hope to finally end the HIV epidemic after over 30 years,” she added.

The initiative also aims to support the development of local scientific research and manufacturing capacity, ensuring Africa is not merely a testing site but an active participant in creating sustainable solutions.

Highlighting the importance of this project, Dr. Abimiku pointed out that this is the first HIV vaccine trial to be conducted in West Africa, with Nigeria as the host, as past trials have largely focused on Eastern and Southern Africa.

She stressed the importance of leveraging new vaccine technologies, such as mRNA, to keep Africa’s healthcare solutions modern: “We cannot be using outdated technologies of the 18th century. We have to employ current technologies, and this collaboration should bring that capacity to our continent. This is a true partnership that acknowledges Africa’s potential for innovation and science to solve global health challenges, especially those that disproportionately impact our continent.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the government of Nigeria and colleagues from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique in this endeavour,” she added. She noted that the Nigerian-Canadian Collaboration on AIDS Vaccine (NICCAV) grant, also led by her, prepared IHVN for this role by conducting a “mock” clinical trial engaging seronegative partners of people living with HIV (PLWH) and working with NAFDAC, Nigeria’s regulatory body, to build local capacity for HIV vaccine trials. The NICCAV study provided the technical foundation for the institute to significantly contribute to the objectives of HIV-VISTA.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director, applauded the initiative as a groundbreaking step in global AIDS prevention. “At the core of our global strategy is ending inequalities and ending AIDS by 2030, and promoting science, research, and development is part of this effort,” Dr. Zekeng explained.

He noted that global HIV infections have dropped by approximately 60% over recent years, but targets for reducing new infections remain unmet, stressing the need for an effective vaccine.

Dr. Zekeng added that this initiative is not only tailored for Africa’s population but also empowers local scientists to continue the fight against HIV. He expressed appreciation for USAID’s support, describing it as a vital investment in Africa’s healthcare future.