Ododo Urged To Assent To Kogi HIV Anti-Stigmatisation Bill

A non-governmental organisation, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA) has asked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to assent to the Kogi State HIV Anti-Stigmatisation Bill as part of activities marking the Zero Discrimination Day 2026.

In a statement signed by the executive director of INGRA, Hamza Aliyu, he said this was a defining moment for Kogi State to demonstrate leadership in protecting the rights, dignity and health of people living with and affected by HIV.

“As the world prepares to mark Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March 2026, under the global theme ‘People First’, INGRA believes this is a defining moment for Kogi State to demonstrate leadership in protecting the rights, dignity, and health of people living with and affected by HIV.”

According to Aliyu, the Zero Discrimination Day, led globally by UNAIDS, shines a spotlight on the persistent discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV.

He maintained that this discrimination undermines access to health services, violates human rights, and slows progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“The evidence is clear: HIV-related stigma and discrimination put lives at risk. Nearly one in four people living with HIV report experiencing stigma, including in healthcare settings,” he said.

“Additionally, 85% report internalized stigma, fear, shame, and self-blame that prevent many from seeking testing, disclosing their status, or remaining on treatment.

“Stigma is not a peripheral issue. It is a structural barrier to prevention, treatment, and care. In Kogi State, as in many parts of Nigeria, discrimination manifests in subtle and overt ways, through denial of services, workplace bias, social exclusion, and breaches of confidentiality.

“Fear of rejection leads many people to conceal their status or interrupt life-saving treatment. This increases vulnerability, fuels transmission, and undermines public health investments.”

He noted that the passage of the Kogi State HIV Anti-Stigmatization Bill by the House of Assembly represents a bold and commendable step toward addressing these challenges.

“However, the Bill must now receive gubernatorial assent to become law and provide enforceable protections for residents of Kogi State. By assenting to this Bill, Governor Ododo would: Strengthen legal protection against HIV-related discrimination, Promote safer and more inclusive healthcare environments, Support increased testing and treatment adherence.

“Align Kogi State with national and global commitments to end AIDS by 2030.  Demonstrate people-centered leadership consistent with the 2026 Zero Discrimination Day theme: ‘People First.’”

INGRA emphasizes that putting people first means ensuring that no one is treated as “less than” because of their HIV status, creating health systems where individuals can access testing, treatment, and care without fear.

“It means protecting workers from discrimination and ensuring confidentiality in medical services. It means listening to the voices of people living with HIV and translating those voices into action.

“We therefore respectfully urge His Excellency to: Promptly assent to the Kogi State HIV Anti-Stigmatization Bill.Support public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the new law once enacted.

“Direct relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to ensure effective implementation and enforcement. As Zero Discrimination Day 2026 is commemorated, Kogi State has an opportunity to stand on the side of justice, dignity, and public health.

“Ending AIDS requires more than medicine, it requires equity, compassion, and courage.

“INGRA remains committed to working with government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities to build a stigma-free Kogi State where everyone can live with dignity and access quality healthcare without fear, People First, Zero Discrimination, End AIDS.”