This initiative, focusing on the research and development of HIV vaccines, was announced by Professor Alash’le Abimiku during a press briefing in Abuja on November 7, 2024.

UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng highlighted the critical role of community engagement in raising awareness about HIV vaccines and ongoing research efforts.

Experts agree that ending the HIV epidemic requires an effective vaccine to complement existing prevention strategies.

Dr. Temitope Ilori from Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of AIDS underscored the necessity for new preventive tools against HIV, emphasizing the importance of a vaccine tailored to local needs.

The BRILLIANT initiative aims to empower local scientists in Africa to evaluate HIV vaccine candidates, ensuring that the development process is inclusive.

Nigeria, along with seven other African nations, has launched an HIV vaccine initiative known as BRILLIANT, aimed at tackling the continent's significant HIV burden.

In 2023, UNAIDS reported that approximately 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally, with Africa accounting for about 25.9 million cases, including roughly 1.9 million in Nigeria.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed over $45 million to support the BRILLIANT consortium under the HIV-VISTA project.

Dr. Ezekiel James from USAID emphasized that the study will foster collaboration among stakeholders to effectively control the HIV epidemic.

Ilori noted that Nigeria's active participation in this global initiative is crucial for both local and international efforts to end AIDS.

The participating countries in the BRILLIANT initiative include Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique.

USAID's Dr. Ezekiel James expressed optimism about the collaboration with Nigeria and other stakeholders to control the HIV epidemic through this initiative.