The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has raised concern over the unauthorised circulation of a publication presenting state-by-state HIV figures for the period January to March 2026 across social media platforms.
In a statement, the agency clarified that the publication did not follow established procedures for requesting, validating, and disseminating HIV-related data, stressing that it is not authorised.
NACA emphasised that HIV data cannot be independently extracted and published without due process, noting that strict protocols exist to ensure such information is properly analysed, contextualised, and accurately communicated.
It warned that failure to adhere to these procedures could lead to the misinterpretation and misuse of sensitive public health data.
The agency explained that while the figures referenced appear to have been sourced from the National Data Repository dashboard, they only reflect HIV positivity from routine testing in health facilities and do not represent the actual burden of HIV across states.
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According to NACA, HIV positivity alone is not a valid measure of prevalence or incidence and should not be used to determine or rank the burden of the disease.
It added that variations in such figures may be influenced by factors including population size, differences in testing coverage, and inconsistencies in data reporting.
The agency therefore described any comparison or ranking of states based solely on the circulating figures as misleading, inaccurate, and invalid.
NACA reiterated that the responsibility for generating, interpreting, and disseminating HIV data rests solely with authorised government health institutions with the necessary mandate and expertise.
It advised members of the public and organisations seeking HIV-related data to follow due process by submitting formal requests to the agency.
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The statement, signed by Temitope Ilori, the agency’s Director General urged the public to disregard the circulating publication.
