In a collective effort to curb the spread of HIV and promote youth health awareness, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State Directorate, participated in a Roundtable Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Prevention of HIV Among Youth and Young Adults, held on Thursday, 24th October 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The high-level forum, co-sponsored by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), brought together key players from the public health sector, government agencies, international development partners, and technology consultants to deliberate on effective strategies for safeguarding young Nigerians from preventable infections.
The engagement aimed to strengthen collaboration among public health institutions, AI data consultants, development organizations, and community stakeholders toward reducing the prevalence of HIV, measles, and rubella among young Nigerians, particularly those in schools and underserved communities.
In attendance were representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, including Dr. Akinpelu and Dr. Ibrahim, as well as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Mrs. Ilori, who delivered the keynote address. In her remarks, Dr. Ilori emphasized the importance of youth-focused health interventions and community-led advocacy to ensure early testing, preventive education, and access to treatment.
The engagement also featured participation from AI consultants from the United States and Abuja, including Rwazi and Viamo, who shared insights on the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in tracking public health trends and improving communication strategies for HIV prevention. Representatives from local drug facilities and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) emphasized the importance of sustainable access to HIV medication, strengthened community health systems, and improved data-driven interventions.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos State Directorate was represented by Mrs. Bolanle Tiamiyu, Deputy Director, Health and Social Care Department, who reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to promoting health awareness, behavioral change communication, and value reorientation across communities. She noted that NOA continues to work closely with health agencies, civil society groups, and the media to combat misinformation and encourage responsible behavior among young people.
Mrs. Tiamiyu stressed that youths and young adults remain the most vulnerable group to new infections due to misinformation, peer influence, and social pressures. She called for community-driven sensitization, school-based education, and the active involvement of faith-based and traditional leaders to sustain advocacy efforts against HIV and other communicable diseases.
Members of the Lagos State Technical Working Committee also participated, emphasizing stronger coordination among state and federal stakeholders to improve youth-friendly health services and integrate HIV prevention within broader reproductive health programs.
At the end of the session, stakeholders — including NACA, the State Ministry of Health, NOA Lagos, CHAI, Rwazi, Viamo, local drug facilities, and other partners — reaffirmed their collective resolve to intensify advocacy, promote inclusivity, and work collaboratively toward achieving zero new HIV infections among Nigerian youth.
The engagement further showcased Lagos State’s leadership in health advocacy and the essential role of inter-agency, international, and civil society collaboration in advancing national public health goals.
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