The initiative is designed to encourage well-researched media stories capable of influencing HIV testing and treatment uptake, promoting the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), encouraging the correct and consistent use of condoms, and strengthening public accountability in HIV/TB service delivery.
AHF currently provides free HIV testing, treatment, care and tuberculosis services across seven locations in Nigeria: the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa states.
Project Targets Gaps in HIV/TB Response
The decision to support journalists in the organisation’s operational areas comes amid persistent challenges in the fight against HIV and TB, including stigma, misinformation, inadequate funding and gaps in access to essential services.
Although Nigeria and other countries have recorded significant progress in HIV treatment and the pursuit of the 95-95-95 targets, AHF noted that several challenges continue to threaten the gains made so far.
The organisation believes that the media can play an important role in addressing these challenges by producing credible, evidence-based and impactful stories that improve public understanding and encourage people to seek appropriate health services.
Through the project, selected journalists are expected to investigate and report on issues affecting people living with HIV and TB, while highlighting gaps in service delivery and possible solutions.
Journalists to Receive Specialised Training
According to AHF, the planned capacity-building programme will expose participating journalists to HIV/TB reporting, data journalism, ethics and safety.
The training will be facilitated by experts from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), AHF’s technical team and senior editors.
Before commencing the reporting phase, selected journalists are expected to participate in a full-day immersive virtual orientation focused on HIV/TB reporting, data journalism, ethical considerations and safety.
AHF said the initiative will also facilitate access to its supported health facilities, State AIDS/TB Control programmes, State AIDS Control Agencies (SACAs), TB focal persons, networks of people living with HIV and TB survivor groups.
The access is expected to enable journalists to obtain firsthand information and conduct interviews that can strengthen the depth and credibility of their reports.
AHF Seeks Impactful and Stigma-Free Reporting
In a statement released in Makurdi on Sunday, Steve Aborisade, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, said journalists participating in the project would be selected from the seven states where the organisation operates.
“This Reporting Project will support journalists to produce accurate, incisive, well researched human-centered, stigma-free stories that can impact HIV testing, treatment uptake, STI’s prevention including consistent and correct use of condoms and public accountability for HIV/TB service delivery in AHF,” he said.
Aborisade added that the project was also intended to “Increase quality, ethical, and solutions-focused media coverage of HIV and TB in Nigeria.”
He explained that part of the objectives would be to mentor journalists on critical HIV and TB issues, including HIV science, U=U, TB-HIV co-infection, domestic financing, local antiretroviral (ARV) manufacturing and challenges surrounding the implementation of Nigeria’s Anti-Discrimination Act 2014.
Application Opens August 10
AHF said the call for applications will open on Monday, August 10, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026.
Successful applicants are expected to be notified on September 14, 2026.
The foundation particularly encouraged women journalists, journalists with disabilities and reporters working with community and local-language media organisations to apply, saying it intends to give priority to applicants from these groups.
The project is expected to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report HIV and TB issues responsibly while ensuring that the voices and experiences of affected communities receive greater attention in the Nigerian media.