INTERVIEW: Why I resigned as head of Nigeria's AIDS agency, NACA - Aliyu - Premium Times Nigeria

The pace of progress against HIV is slowing, says a report released 16 July by UNAIDS, the United Nations agency charged with” reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to treatment and ending AIDS-related deaths”.

This dissertation was a real eye opener to the challenges of covert sexual relationships among young people in highly conservative societies and the link to cultural norms. My findings showed that young people were having sex, and potentially at risk of acquiring HIV, even in communities where social mixing among the sexes was taboo. The need for increased awareness of HIV knowledge and prevention was quite clear.

My microbiology background strengthened the scientific platform for my infection practice, bridging the gap between the laboratory and clinical interface and providing me with the leadership skills necessary to run a large field exercise like the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey .In July 2016, I was approached by the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to assist with restructuring the country’s HIV response, which at the time was in deep crisis.

The Nigeria HIV epidemic is a challenging and complex one, beset by accountability issues, barriers to accessing services, human rights abuses and social injustice. To succeed in such an environment requires resilience and strong negotiation skills. I have successfully led the turnaround of the Nigeria HIV response, which over the years had defied progress.

I am determined to fully implement the management action plan arising from the events of the past year. I will also work jointly with the PCB members to make meetings more strategic and relevant to programmatic needs. I will promote inclusive governance and a country level approach to the joint programme based on agreed and robust joint planning, working and reporting.

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