Ending Nigeria’s HIV epidemic will require more than donor funding, it demands strong government systems, deliberate financing strategies, and long-term institutional ownership. This commitment was reinforced on 5 June 2026 as ECEWS through the US Department funded SPEED Project, coordinated and participated in the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (N-SHIP) Phase II Stakeholders’ Meeting in Ekiti State.  

The meeting brought together key representatives from the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Ekiti State Ministry of Health (SMOH), Ekiti State Hospital Management Board (EKHMB), Ministry of Budget & Management, Ministry of Finance, the State AIDS and STIs Control Programme (SASCP), Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme (EKSHIS), NEPWHAN, and the Ekiti State Primary Health Development Board (EKSPHDB). 

The meeting served as a platform for reviewing the progress of health financing initiatives aimed at strengthening government ownership of the HIV response. Participants assessed ongoing efforts to institutionalize long-term financing mechanisms, enhance domestic resource mobilization, and integrate HIV services into routine government health systems. Discussions also focused on improving inter-sectoral collaboration to ensure the continuity of quality HIV prevention, treatment, and care services across the state. 

By convening critical government stakeholders to jointly review progress and define actionable next steps, ECEWS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ekiti State in building resilient health systems, advancing government-led HIV programme financing, and driving the transition towards greater government leadership and ownership of the HIV response.