ACET Nigeria

ACET Nigeria is a local NGO founded in 2006 in response to Nigeria’s high burden of HIV, with a vision of partnering with the church to improve the health and livelihoods of people living with HIV and AIDS. This mission remains important today as a staggering 1.9 million people are living with HIV and Nigeria still has one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS 2019). ACET Nigeria now works across five states in north-central Nigeria, focussing on rural regions and areas with a high HIV infection rate. They have developed a holistic model of mentoring churches to practically respond to HIV and positively shape the culture around sexual health. Through this church and community mobilisation, ACET Nigeria reaches over 6000 children, young people, and adults annually with relationships, sex and HIV education, care, and support. Since partnering together, acet UK and ACET Nigeria have trained 2457 champions of HIV awareness and education and spread educational messages to 258, 173 people. The ACET Nigeria team The Executive Director, Sunday Musa, is passionate about the role of the church in turning the tide on the HIV pandemic - he has been on the leadership team of ACET Nigeria since its founding. He is supported by the wider staff team of 15 staff members and a volunteer network of over 200 Christians dedicated to positively transforming their local community. "It has been fantastic to be part of ACET Nigeria from the distribution of the ‘AIDs and You’ book in 2006 to a strong, locally-rooted organisation that shows the love of Christ practically. We want to see children, young people, and their families having more open and honest conversations about sex." Sunday Musa ACET Nigeria’s holistic projects: Comprehensive HIV intervention training - Church leaders and missionaries are equipped and inspired to champion HIV education and create ministries for people living with or affected by HIV. HIV education, counselling, and treatment - Vulnerable people are educated about HIV and offered free HIV testing and treatment adherence counselling. Community SRH and antenatal care sensitisation - Community health drives provide information on Antenatal Care (ANC), post-natal services, reproductive health and family planning. Esteem clubs in schools, churches, and prisons -  Young people learn about healthy gender relations, self-esteem, and suicide prevention, and experience God’s love for them in a safe space. Kids’ clubs - At-risk children take part in recreational activities, receive Relationships and Sex Education, and have opportunities to explore the Gospel. Parenting support - Peer education enables parents and carers to improve the health and wellbeing of their children and strengthen family relationships. The difference we make: Changing attitudes to HIV The difference we make: Esteem clubs for kids