On July 17, 2006, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed an agreement in Abuja with an AIDS charity founded by former United States President Bill Clinton.
The deal aims to make antiretroviral drugs more affordable and expand treatment nationwide, with a special focus on children living with HIV. It will also support fundraising for Nigeria’s national response to the disease.
At the time, Nigeria had the third-highest HIV burden in the world, after South Africa and India. Government figures presented at the ceremony estimated about 3 million people were living with the virus in the country.
Clinton attended the signing and stressed the importance of testing.
“Testing for HIV/AIDS is crucial to curbing the infection rate in the country,” he told officials.
Health officials said the partnership with the Clinton Foundation would reduce drug costs and scale up care for children, who previously had limited access to treatment.
The agreement builds on existing federal efforts to fight AIDS through cheaper medication, increased testing, and donor support.
