IHVN Supports Global Fund High-Level Visit to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Systems
The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), in its role as a Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, joined the Government of Nigeria and key stakeholders for a high-level visit by the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mr. Peter Sands, to Kwara, Ogun, and Lagos States.
The strategic visit showcased the impact of Global Fund investments in strengthening Nigeria’s response to HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, and resilient health systems while reinforcing state ownership and sustainable healthcare delivery.
Kwara State: Advancing State-Led Health Ownership
The visit commenced in Kwara State, where the delegation was received by His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, alongside Her Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, First Lady of Kwara State, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam.
The engagement highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening health systems through strategic partnerships with the Federal Government, the Global Fund, IHVN, and other implementing partners.
Speaking during the visit, IHVN Director Special Projects, Dr. Aderonke Agbaje, reaffirmed the Institute’s longstanding partnership with the Government of Nigeria.
“IHVN has been implementing Global Fund grants under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for almost 18 years. Under the current GC7 grant, we serve as the Principal Recipient for comprehensive HIV services and TB/HIV integration, supporting communities and the private sector while linking them with government health structures and services.”
Dr. Agbaje also expressed appreciation to Mr. Peter Sands and Global Fund Portfolio Manager/Country Team Lead for Nigeria, Dr. John-Thomas Nouboussi, for their leadership in advancing patient-centred service delivery.
Ogun State: Strengthening Integrated Healthcare and Supply Chain Systems
The delegation proceeded to Ogun State, where they visited the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, to observe progress in integrated service delivery for HIV, TB, malaria, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT).
The visit also featured the commissioning of the Pharma Grade Medical Warehouse under the Ogun State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency (OGDHCMA) by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The state-of-the-art warehouse is expected to strengthen commodity supply chains, reduce stock-outs, and improve the timely distribution of medicines and diagnostic commodities across Ogun State’s 20 Local Government Areas.
During a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, participants reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable healthcare financing, counterpart funding, and stronger state ownership of health programmes.
Governor Abiodun noted that over 30,000 residents living with HIV in Ogun State are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy, counselling, and support services.
Commending the progress made, Mr. Peter Sands said:
“What we’re seeing in Ogun is the power of integration and local ownership. Investments in HIV, TB, and malaria are stronger when they work together, and this warehouse will help ensure no one is left behind.”
Lagos State: Boosting Genomic Surveillance and Health Security
The final leg of the visit took the delegation to Lagos State where Mr. Peter Sands, senior government officials, development partners including IHVN toured the NCDC Multi-omics core facility at the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), Yaba. The facility houses several high throughput cutting edge multi-omics platforms critical for positioning Nigeria to close the gap in genomics and other omics sciences research areas including non-communicable and Infectious Diseases with potential applications in precision health systems for humans while supporting better animal and crop breeding programs.
The laboratory represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s laboratory capacity and will strengthen genomic surveillance, disease outbreak preparedness, and national health security. The upgrade of the facility to the state-of-the-art multi-omics laboratory was made possible through global fund investments and is currently being managed by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.
Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, described the facility as a transformative investment for Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
“This is one of the most advanced laboratory investments in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It will significantly enhance research, diagnostics, and evidence-based public health interventions nationwide.”
She noted that the facility will strengthen HIV drug resistance monitoring, TB and malaria surveillance, and broader disease diagnostics, including cancer research.
Strengthening Partnerships for Greater Impact
The high-level visit reaffirmed the strong collaboration between the Government of Nigeria, the Global Fund, IHVN, and other partners in delivering sustainable, high-quality health services across the country.
As preparations begin for the next Global Fund grant cycle (GC8), IHVN remains committed to translating global investments into measurable health outcomes by strengthening health systems, expanding access to quality HIV, TB, and malaria services, and supporting Nigeria’s journey toward improved health security and universal health coverage.