..engages Southwest Stakeholders on ‘Age of Access’ project

By Mary Agidi

As part of ongoing advocacy efforts to lower the legal age for HIV testing in Nigeria, a critical inception meeting was held with key stakeholders.


The meeting aimed to discuss and strategize around the ‘Age of Access’ initiative, a project seeking to improve access to HIV testing for adolescents and young people (AYPs).

The regional Age of Access meeting, organized by Education as a Vaccine (EVA) in collaboration with Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC) took place on Friday, September 27, 2024, in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The meeting brought together participants from the six states in Nigeria’s Southwest region, including representatives of children and AYPs, youth organizations, and health advocates.

The initiative forms part of EVA’s broader mission to support children’s rights, including access to health and protection services.

During the meeting, Martin-Mary Falana, Chief Executive Officer of K&TRC, emphasized the crucial role advocacy plays in addressing the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

“Advocacy is key in dispelling the misconceptions about HIV and AIDS,” Falana said. He stressed that sex education and awareness campaigns are critical in combating stigma and encouraging more people to get tested for HIV. “Through this advocacy around the Age of Access, we aim to get more individuals to know their HIV status,” he added.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Folashade Bamigboye, Executive Director at K&TRC, highlighted the importance of gathering feedback from stakeholders on the project’s implementation strategy. She also sought support for the legislative and ministerial processes required to lower the age of access for independent HIV testing.

“The purpose of this meeting is to secure stakeholder support for legislative and ministerial approval, which will lower the age of access to HIV testing. We also intend to define clear objectives, strategies, and timelines for the project,” Bamigboye stated.

Mr. Philip Idoko, Program Officer at EVA, further explained that the Age of Access project is pushing for a reduction in the legal age of independent HIV testing from 18 to a younger age. According to him, data indicates a higher HIV prevalence among adolescents aged 16-19, necessitating earlier access to testing services.

“The discussion around the Age of Access has been ongoing, and it is driven by the efforts of youth organizations. This advocacy seeks to adjust the current policies on HIV testing services for young people,” Idoko noted.

Funded by the LIFT Equity Fund, the project aims to close service gaps in HIV testing for young people by employing innovative strategies and engaging both policymakers and communities. “The LIFT Equity Fund provides youth organizations a platform to promote conversations around equity, especially concerning health services for young people,” Idoko added.

Various stakeholders from the relevant MDAs in the Six States, Traditional and Religious Leaders, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FIDA, NOA, NAPTIP, Child Protection Network (CPN) , Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (AOON), Youth Leaders, Youth Focused Civil Society Organizations and others at the meeting provided valuable insights and feedback on the best approaches to address the Age of Access issue in HIV testing across Nigeria.

Their contributions are expected to shape future advocacy efforts and influence policy changes to better serve AYPs and reduce the spread of HIV among young Nigerians.