By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Lokoja — The Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), alongside other civil society organizations and stakeholders in the fight against HIV and AIDS, has called on Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to assent to the HIV Anti-Stigmatization Bill. The appeal was made during a press conference marking the 2026 Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD), emphasizing the critical need to protect human rights and accelerate progress in combating the epidemic.
Mr. Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director of INGRA, said ZDD, championed globally by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by people living with or at risk of HIV. He stressed that stigma remains a major obstacle to accessing healthcare, protecting fundamental rights, and achieving the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“HIV-related stigma is not a peripheral concern; it is a structural barrier,” Aliyu said. “Nearly one in four people living with HIV report experiencing discrimination, including in healthcare settings, while about 85 per cent battle internalized stigma such as fear, shame, and self-blame.”
He explained that in Kogi State, discrimination manifests both subtly and overtly—through denial of services, workplace bias, social exclusion, and breaches of confidentiality. Such practices discourage individuals from seeking testing, disclosing their status, or remaining consistent with life-saving treatment. “Fear of rejection forces many to conceal their status or interrupt treatment. This not only increases vulnerability but also fuels transmission and undermines public health investments,” he added.
Aliyu commended the Kogi State House of Assembly for passing the HIV Anti-Stigmatization Bill, calling it “bold and commendable.” He urged the Governor to sign it into law, noting that the legislation would provide enforceable protections, promote inclusive healthcare environments, and encourage increased testing and adherence to treatment across the state.
Signing the bill, Aliyu said, would align Kogi with national and global commitments to end AIDS by 2030, in line with the ZDD 2026 theme, “People First.” He emphasized that putting people first means ensuring no one is treated as “less than” because of their HIV status, protecting workers from discrimination, guaranteeing confidentiality in medical services, and translating the voices of people living with HIV into concrete policies and action.
Also speaking at the event, Amb. Muraina Idris Ozovehe of the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) reinforced the call for the Governor’s assent, noting that discrimination—sometimes perpetuated by religious and social institutions—must be decisively addressed. He urged civil society actors to build sustainable systems amid declining donor funding.
Comrade Jimoh Audu, Kogi State Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, praised the state government for creating an enabling environment for treatment and care. He revealed that most patients in the state are virally suppressed, significantly reducing the risk of transmission, and expressed optimism that with sustained support, HIV and AIDS could be eliminated in Kogi State by 2030.
The press conference concluded with INGRA and allied organizations reiterating that Governor Ododo’s assent to the bill is a crucial step toward ending HIV-related stigma and ensuring that people living with HIV can access healthcare and social services without fear of discrimination.