The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have joined forces to strengthen public awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS and tackle stigma associated with the disease across Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NACA delegation to NOA headquarters, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to launching new nationwide sensitization initiatives. He emphasized the importance of public education in addressing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
He noted that NOA would leverage its extensive communication infrastructure, which includes 818 offices nationwide, 774 local government offices, partnerships with 198 radio stations, and 40 television stations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The agency will also utilize social media influencers, animations, print media (The Explainer), and its in-house TV and radio studios to enhance outreach efforts.
Mallam Issa-Onilu called on NACA to develop innovative local strategies to sustain HIV/AIDS intervention programs, especially in light of declining international funding. He assured NACA of NOA’s full support in promoting accurate information and fostering a stigma-free society. He further stressed the need to shift from fear-based communication to a more positive approach, stating that HIV/AIDS should be seen as a manageable condition, similar to hypertension and diabetes.
In her remarks, the Director-General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, highlighted that despite progress in treatment, HIV/AIDS remained a serious public health issue, particularly among young people who tend to underestimate its risks. She emphasized the need for improved public awareness and behavioral change communication to dispel misinformation and encourage prevention.
Dr. Ilori commended NOA’s nationwide presence and media reach, urged the agency to support NACA in spreading accurate information on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. She also expressed concerns about the growing influence of misinformation on social media and stressed the importance of Nigeria taking full ownership of its HIV response through stronger inter-agency collaboration.
The partnership between NOA and NACA is expected to significantly enhance public understanding of HIV/AIDS, promote preventive measures, and help eliminate stigma associated with the disease.
