The agency clarified that it remains the only government body legally mandated to generate, analyse, and disseminate HIV data and estimates within the country. It stressed that any publication outside its established processes risks distorting public understanding and undermining national health efforts.
In a statement issued by its Director-General, Temitope Ilori, NACA disassociated itself from the widely shared document covering HIV figures between January and March 2026. According to the agency, the report neither received official approval nor followed the required procedures for accessing and publishing sensitive health data.
NACA explained that while the figures in circulation appear to have been sourced from the National Data Repository dashboard, they represent only HIV positivity rates derived from routine testing in health facilities. These figures, it noted, are limited in scope and do not provide a comprehensive picture of the actual HIV burden across states.
The agency cautioned against equating positivity rates with broader epidemiological indicators such as prevalence or incidence, emphasising that such comparisons are methodologically flawed. It added that variations in reported figures can be influenced by multiple factors, including population size, testing coverage, and reporting gaps, making simplistic state rankings unreliable.
Describing the circulated analysis as misleading, NACA warned that improper use of public health data could create confusion, fuel misinformation, and potentially weaken ongoing HIV/AIDS control strategies.
The agency urged individuals, researchers, and organisations seeking credible HIV-related information to adhere to formal data request channels to ensure accuracy and proper context.
Reiterating the importance of responsible data handling, NACA also advised the public to disregard the unauthorised report, stressing that maintaining trust in health information systems is critical to sustaining progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.