The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, in partnership with the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and other stakeholders, on Thursday led a road walk in Awka to mark the 2026 International Condom Day, renewing calls for increased condom use to curb HIV infections.
Observed annually on February 13, International Condom Day is a global advocacy initiative aimed at promoting safer sex and reducing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The awareness march drew health professionals, civil society organisations, government officials and community advocates who moved through major streets in the state capital, distributing thousands of condoms and educating residents on responsible sexual behaviour.
Speaking during the event, the Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, Mr. Steve Aborishade, said the campaign forms part of AHF’s global strategy to reduce new HIV infections.
According to him, AHF operates in 47 countries worldwide and provides care to more than 2.7 million people, with Nigeria among 14 African countries benefiting from its interventions.
“International Condom Day was initiated by AHF to emphasise prevention. The condom remains one of the most effective and affordable tools for preventing HIV and other STIs. If we must end AIDS, we must stop new infections,” Aborishade said.
He stressed that HIV is preventable, particularly when individuals avoid unprotected sex, noting that widespread access to condoms remains critical to epidemic control.
Strong partnership
Also speaking, AHF’s Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs. Vivian Sunday, underscored the need for strong partnerships in combating HIV in the state.
She explained that AHF collaborates with government agencies and civil society groups, including ANSACA, the State AIDS and STI Prevention Unit, the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative, and the Police Action Committee on AIDS.
Sunday cited the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), which put Anambra’s HIV prevalence rate at 2.4 per cent — the highest in the South-East — as justification for sustained public education and prevention campaigns.
“With this data, there is an urgent need to educate people about responsible living. Abstinence is the best prevention method. Being faithful to one partner is next, while the correct and consistent use of condoms is equally important,” she said.
She clarified that the campaign does not encourage promiscuity but promotes informed and responsible choices to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancies.
On his part, the Project Manager of ANSACA, Mr. Johnbosco Ementa, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to coordinating HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
Multisectoral HIV response
“As the coordinating agency for the multi-sectoral HIV response in Anambra, we work with partners like AHF who provide free HIV testing, treatment and prevention services across facilities in the state,” he said.
Ementa emphasised that prevention remains more cost-effective than treatment, noting that consistent and correct condom use significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
“International Condom Day reminds us that prevention is better than cure. Our goal is to reduce new infections and move towards epidemic control in Anambra State,” he added.
He further disclosed that condoms are available free of charge in public health facilities and at subsidised rates in pharmacies and through patent medicine vendors across the state.
