World AIDS Day 2025: Balogun Urges Renewed Commitment Amid Growing Funding Challenges

By Iyojo Ameh

As the world commemorates World AIDS Day 2025 against a backdrop of progress and growing funding challenges, HIV survivor and advocate Olusiji Balogun has called on people living with the virus to remain hopeful, resilient, and committed to life.

Speaking on the significance of the day, Balogun said, “As we mark World AIDS Day 2025, people living with HIV/AIDS should keep on living with hope and resilience amidst all challenges, especially funding cuts.

He warned that despite notable gains in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, the ongoing funding crisis is threatening efforts to achieve the 2030 target of eradicating the virus. Reduced donor commitments and shrinking national budgets, he said, are beginning to disrupt vital programmes that sustain the progress recorded in recent years.

Balogun encouraged the public to prioritise HIV testing, stressing that early detection remains the key to effective management and long-term survival. According to him, “HIV never kills—lack of early discovery and proper management does.”

He urged communities to show empathy rather than discrimination toward people living with HIV, saying stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to treatment and support in many societies.

Balogun also highlighted the need for global solidarity and increased public awareness, noting that excessive secrecy and confidentiality surrounding HIV treatment—even among health workers—continue to hinder efforts to reduce prevalence rates.

Advocating for sustained awareness campaigns, he described openness and informed support systems as essential tools in battling the epidemic.

Reaffirming his personal philosophy, Balogun said, “The last option is the first and best option, which is to live. To live forever is to live in the hearts of people—and one should choose the best option, which is to live forever.”