The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has raised alarm over a sharp 55% decline in condom distribution in Nigeria within the past year, a drop the agency says reflects a growing crisis in the global fight against HIV.
The statistic was revealed on Tuesday in Geneva during the launch of UNAIDS’ 2025 World AIDS Day report titled Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response. According to the agency, the world is currently experiencing its biggest setback in decades in HIV prevention, testing, and community-led services.
UNAIDS highlighted that 13 countries have seen reductions in the number of people newly placed on treatment. In sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is even more worrying: about 450,000 women have lost access to “mother mentors” community health workers who guide pregnant women and new mothers to essential HIV services.
Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, said cuts in funding and deteriorating human rights conditions are crippling prevention and treatment efforts in several countries.
“Behind every data point in this report are people babies missing HIV screenings, young women losing access to prevention services, and communities left without care. We cannot abandon them,” she said.
The report also showed that adolescent girls and young women remain the most vulnerable group. Before the recent disruptions, an estimated 570 young women aged 15–24 were infected with HIV every day. With prevention programmes collapsing, UNAIDS warns that risks for this group are rising even further.
Community-led organisations, particularly those run by women, are among the hardest hit. Over 60% of these groups have been forced to suspend crucial services due to financial challenges.
UNAIDS modelling warns that if prevention efforts are not quickly restored, the world could see 3.3 million additional HIV infections between 2025 and 2030.
The agency linked the crisis to falling international assistance. Projections from the OECD show global health funding could drop by 30–40% in 2025 compared to 2023, with the most devastating impact expected in low- and middle-income countries where HIV is widespread.
UNAIDS called on world leaders to renew their commitments from the recent G20 Summit in South Africa, strengthen global cooperation, expand funding for vulnerable countries, invest in affordable long-acting HIV prevention tools and protect human rights, emphasising that community-led efforts must remain at the heart of the response.
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