The strategy was launched in Abuja by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), with stakeholders describing it as a major step towards strengthening national ownership of HIV prevention, treatment and support programmes. Speaking at the event, NACA Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, said Nigeria's HIV response had reached a crucial stage, requiring a shift from heavy reliance on international support to a model driven largely by domestic resources and institutions. According to her, Nigeria has recorded significant gains in the fight against HIV over the past two decades through expanded access to treatment, improved prevention efforts, and strong collaboration with development partners. However, declining donor support has made it necessary for the country to adopt a more sustainable approach. She explained that the new strategic plan focuses on integrating HIV interventions into broader sectors such as healthcare, education, youth development, gender affairs, and the justice system to improve efficiency and service delivery. The framework also places emphasis on innovation, including the use of digital health technologies, local manufacturing initiatives, and new service delivery models designed to strengthen long-term programme sustainability. Ilori said the overall goal is to achieve an HIV response that is fully integrated, nationally owned, and capable of reaching all segments of the population, particularly young people and vulnerable groups. Also speaking, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr John Ovuoraye, urged stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and focus on implementing the strategy. He stressed that the plan promotes inclusive healthcare and aligns with efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations have access to quality HIV services. Representatives of development partners and civil society organisations also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a critical roadmap for achieving national and global HIV targets. Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Joint Team on HIV/AIDS, Dr Doris Ogba said the strategy provides clear direction for programmes and interventions aimed at achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and ultimately ending AIDS as a public health threat. The National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Dr Abdulkadri Ibrahim, described the plan as timely and expressed confidence that it would guide evidence-based interventions across the country. Nigeria operates one of the largest HIV treatment programmes in the world and has made notable progress in reducing new infections and HIV-related deaths. However, experts have consistently warned that sustaining these achievements will require stronger domestic financing, improved healthcare systems, and deeper integration of HIV services into routine healthcare delivery. The newly launched strategic plan is expected to serve as the country's primary framework for coordinating HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services as Nigeria works towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.