Aggey Foundation Commemorates World AIDS Day 2025 in association with CORRIDOR

In April 2025, the JKA Aggey Foundation, in collaboration with the Coalition of Organizations Responding to Regional Diseases Outbreaks and Risks (CORRIDOR) for West Africa, hosted a significant medical mission at the Seme border, connecting Nigeria and Benin Republic, to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025. This event, aligned with the global theme “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” aimed to enhance HIV awareness, provide critical health services, and foster cross-border collaboration to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this high-traffic region. The initiative, held at a community health facility near the Seme border, attracted over 500 participants, including cross-border traders, migrants, local residents, healthcare workers, and regional advocates.

Medical Mission: Bridging Borders with Care

The medical mission focused on delivering accessible healthcare to underserved populations along the Nigeria-Benin border, a region known for its vibrant trade but also for heightened HIV transmission risks due to mobility and limited healthcare access. The JKA Aggey Foundation and CORRIDOR for West Africa facilitated free HIV testing, counseling, and screenings for related conditions such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. Over 350 individuals were tested for HIV, with those testing positive receiving immediate counseling and linkages to antiretroviral therapy (ART) through local health systems in both Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Health workers distributed educational materials emphasizing HIV prevention, the importance of the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) campaign, and strategies to combat stigma. “The Seme border is a critical point for intervention,” said Mr. Dayo Wuraola, the Vice-President, JKA Aggey Foundation. “By bringing healthcare directly to this community, we’re addressing barriers faced by mobile populations and ensuring they’re included in the HIV response.” The mission also provided condoms and information on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), tailored to high-risk groups such as traders and young women.

Cross-Border Collaboration with CORRIDOR for West Africa

The partnership with CORRIDOR for West Africa was instrumental in the event’s success, leveraging their expertise in regional health coordination. CORRIDOR facilitated the deployment of mobile testing units and ensured seamless collaboration between Nigerian and Beninese health authorities. Their involvement drew on lessons from similar initiatives in Burkina Faso and Togo, where tailored HIV services have advanced the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets—95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving ART, and 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression.

A poignant candlelight vigil was held to honor those lost to AIDS-related illnesses, fostering unity across borders. Representatives from both countries shared stories of resilience, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation. “This collaboration is a model for how West African nations can work together to tackle HIV,” said a CORRIDOR spokesperson. “By aligning efforts at Seme, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive health response.”

Community Engagement and Advocacy

The event featured community-driven activities, including workshops led by peer educators who addressed HIV prevention, safe sex practices, and stigma reduction. These sessions were particularly impactful for young people and women, who face heightened risks due to gender norms and economic vulnerabilities. A youth ambassador, inspired by programs like Namibia’s i-BreakFree initiative, engaged adolescents in discussions about delaying sexual debut and accessing health services without fear of discrimination.

Local leaders and civil society organizations from both Nigeria and the Benin Republic distributed red ribbons and advocated for policies to protect marginalized groups, echoing the 2023 World AIDS Day theme, “Let Communities Lead.” A marketplace stall showcased resources from partner organizations, offering practical guidance on accessing HIV services across the border.

Addressing Regional Challenges

The Seme border event addressed unique challenges, such as cross-border migration and limited healthcare infrastructure, which exacerbate HIV transmission. Inspired by Thailand’s approach to providing health coverage for migrants, the initiative emphasized the need for regional strategies to ensure continuity of care for mobile populations. The mission also highlighted concerns about funding cuts, with UNAIDS warning that reductions in international aid could lead to millions of new HIV infections. The JKA Aggey Foundation and CORRIDOR called for increased domestic funding and innovative financing, such as diaspora contributions, to sustain progress.

Looking Forward: A Unified Response

The JKA Aggey Foundation and CORRIDOR for West Africa pledged to expand similar initiatives across other West African borders, building on the success at Seme. The event underscored the power of community-led, cross-border collaboration in advancing the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Participants left with renewed hope and practical tools to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS.

For more information on the JKA Aggey Foundation’s programs or to support their efforts, visit their official website.