NACA Convenes High-Level Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja to Review Draft National Strategic Plan on Reducing Gender and Human Rights Barriers to HIV and TB Services

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) held a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to review and validate the second draft of the National Strategic Plan aimed at reducing gender and human rights barriers to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) services in Nigeria.

The two-day meeting, held from February 5–6, 2026, brought together representatives from State AIDS Control Agencies, civil society organizations, community and key population networks, relevant MDAs, development partners, and implementing organizations. Lawyers Alert participated actively, represented by Ifechi Aleke, Esq., providing expertise on legal access, human rights, and community-centered approaches.

Participants examined the draft plan, focusing on measures to remove structural and systemic barriers to prevention, treatment, care, and support services. Lawyers Alert emphasized improving access to justice and legal protection for people living with or affected by HIV and TB.

Key discussions also addressed reducing stigma and discrimination in healthcare, strengthening financing mechanisms, and enhancing community leadership. Stakeholders highlighted the need to place affected populations at the center of policy design, and to address gender inequality, harmful social norms, and punitive laws to achieve zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS- and TB-related deaths.

The meeting also stressed alignment with global best practices and human rights standards to ensure the plan is inclusive and actionable. Lawyers Alert’s participation ensured that rights-based approaches and community perspectives were fully integrated into the validation process.