The Oyo State government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening evidence-based HIV prevention strategies through improved data collection and research.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

A statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on Wednesday, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, said the government made the pledge at the official flag-off of the 2026 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey training for relevant stakeholders in the state.

The training which held today at the Development Support Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, is part of preparations for the nationwide survey aimed at generating current and reliable behavioural and biological data on HIV among key populations.

Declaring the exercise open, Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Aare (Dr.) Gbola Adetunji, described the survey as a critical public health initiative that would provide the evidence required to understand emerging HIV trends, identify service gaps and guide the effective allocation of resources.

📌 Key Details

“The 2026 IBBSS would generate information on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, beliefs, risk behaviours, access to HIV prevention and care services, HIV status awareness and treatment uptake among key populations, including Female Sex Workers, Men Who Have Sex with Men, and People Who Inject Drugs,” Adetunji said.

He noted that the findings of previous IBBSS rounds had shown significant HIV burden among key populations, stressing that updated data was essential to determine the impact of interventions and shape future programming.

He also called for stronger community participation, stressing that key population communities should not be regarded merely as respondents but as important partners in the HIV response.

The chairman charged the field and technical teams to deliver a credible, ethical and high-quality exercise that would translate into better HIV policies, programmes and health outcomes

He urged stakeholders and community representatives to support field teams and create an environment where participants could provide accurate information without fear, discrimination or stigma.

Adetunji assured the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, the West Africa Centre for Public Health and Development, development partners and other stakeholders of Oyo State’s continued support and collaboration towards the successful implementation of the survey.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria