On March 9th, 2002, President Olusegun Obasanjo convened a national Forum, "HIV-AIDS in Nigeria: The Road Ahead," that brought together major stakeholders in the fight against the epidemic, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, and donor agencies. This Forum was co-sponsored the Federal Ministry of Health, National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA), and the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) at the Center for International Development.

At a time when the HIV/AIDS epidemic is fueled by a leadership crisis in many sub- Saharan African nations, President Obasanjo once again placed Nigeria at the forefront of the attempt to break the silence around the deadly scourge of this disease. He opened the Forum with a strong declaration of his government's commitment to fight this epidemic at all levels. Former US President Jimmy Carter then addressed the group, emphasizing the need for increased financing and comprehensive strategies to fight HIV/AIDS. He drew particular attention to the need to discuss openly the sexual nature of HIV transmission, and to provide individuals with the knowledge and means to protect themselves from the disease. He was followed by William Gates Sr., co-chair of the Gates Foundation who focused on the human tragedy caused by AIDS in Nigeria, specifically recognizing circumstances such as poverty that can lead women into commercial sex work in order to support their families thus increasing their exposure to HIV/AIDS.

The Minister of Health, Prof. A.B.C. Nwosu, addressed the HIV/AIDS situation in Nigeria. He emphasized that Nigerians have to overcome the social stigma attached to HIV-positive individuals and to break the silence so that people openly recognize the toll HIV/AIDS is taking on the country. Professor I. Akinsete, Chairman of NACA, outlined the multi-sectoral response Nigeria has taken to mitigate the spread of AIDS. Dr. Helene Gayle, spoke on the intensity with which Nigeria has recently given to addressing the HIV epidemic and the potential for spread in the absence of continued efforts.

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for International Development (CID), pointed out the substantial gap between donor contributions and the vast funding needs to effectively support HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs. He underscored the need for increased funding and debt relief as means of increasing Nigerians' access to HIV/AIDS interventions.

Dr. Pat Matemilola, chairman of the NGO PLWA, highlighted the plight of those directly affected by the disease and discussed the role of NGOs in the fight against the disease while Mr. Christian Voumard, UNICEF resident representative, drew attention to affected populations' fight to be heard at the grass roots level. The efforts being undertaken at the state and local levels were highlighted by Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State and Dr. John Idoko, Jos University Teaching Hospital, addressed issues pertinent to Nigeria's new anti-retroviral treatment program.

The AIDS epidemic has been costly for Nigeria not only in human terms but also financially and economically. Obiageli Ezakweli, Special Assistant to the President on Budget Matters, outlined Nigeria's need to increase federal budgetary spending for HIV/AIDS programs. Dr. Pia Malaney of Harvard University presented macro-economic estimates suggesting that the per capita GDP of Nigeria is already 5 percent lower than it would have been in the absence of the disease, a cost that is projected to escalate rapidly if the epidemic is not brought under control. This emphasized, once again, the need for additional resources to be devoted to HIV prevention and treatment. Dr. Joseph Perriens, World Health Organization, and Dr. Berhe Costantinos, UNAIDS Nigeria, also addressed the need for appropriate allocation of HIV/AIDS resources, highlighting the evidence on the importance of targeting high-risk groups such as commercial sex workers, truck drivers, and migrant labor.

Prof. Phyllis Kanki, APIN's Director, highlighted the support APIN has given to Nigerian universities, NGOs and the MoH in their efforts to mitigate HIV/AIDS through surveillance and capacity building. Dr. Soji Adeyi, APIN, recognized Nigeria's leadership for addressing AIDS and encouraged the government to make decisions based on research and strategic planning.

The Presidential Forum on HIV/AIDS was a major step in the effort to increase awareness of issues relevant to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It was representative, furthermore, of the significant role that Nigeria has to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub- Saharan Africa, as President Obasanjo demonstrated once again the importance of leadership to this effort.The Presidential Forum on HIV/AIDS was a major step in the effort to increase awareness of issues relevant to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It was representative, furthermore, of the significant role that Nigeria has to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub- Saharan Africa, as President Obasanjo demonstrated once again the importance of leadership to this effort.