The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has named renowned actress, movie producer, and director Funke Akindele as its new National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria.
This prestigious nomination acknowledges Funke Akindele’s tireless efforts in the fight against HIV and her dedication to advocacy, awareness, and driving progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
With a career spanning over two decades, Funke Akindele has leveraged her platform to amplify social impact issues, influence positive change, and champion causes that matter.
As UNAIDS’ National Goodwill Ambassador, Funke is expected to contribute to efforts aimed at eliminating vertical transmission of HIV, ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and promoting HIV prevention across Nigeria.
According to UNAID’s statistics, “Nigeria has made significant strides in the fight against HIV over the past two decades. As of 2023, approximately 2 million people are living with HIV in the country, with an adult prevalence rate of 1.3% among individuals aged 15–49.
“Nigeria recorded approximately 130,000 new HIV infections in 2010. By 2023, this number had declined to about 75,000 new infections, representing a reduction of approximately 55,000 cases, or a 42.3% decrease over the 13-year period.
“The country has also achieved notable progress in treatment access, with 1.6 million out of the 2 million people living with HIV in Nigeria currently on treatment”.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including addressing stigma and discrimination and ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment services.
Funke Akindele’s appointment as National Goodwill Ambassador is a significant milestone in the fight against HIV in Nigeria.
