For many years, Nigeria was considered to be at a relatively early stage of the HIV & AIDS pandemic compared to the more heavily affected nations of East Africa and southern Africa. According to the Sentinel Survey report of 2005, Nigeria’s prevalence rate of 4.4 % is lower than those of some other African countries, with a large population size, it has the second highest number of HIV positive adults in sub-Saharan Africa. It ranks third in the world in terms of the total number of people infected, behind India and South Africa. UNAIDS has predicted that the number of Nigerians infected will continue to rise through 2010 to between 5.5 to 8.4 million . At least about 4.4% of the Nigerian population is infected with HIV according to the Sentinel Survey of 2005. The rates vary significantly between states and geo-political zones. Some states like Cross River and Benue, show an HIV rate of up to 10 % . As in other countries, HIV prevalence rate in urban areas is generally higher compared with the rural areas.

In response to an address by, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, CGFR, aimed at energising the private business sector to tackle the challenge of HIV &AIDS, the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) was established on February 15, 2003 with a  mission is to prevent and mitigate the impact of the HIV & AIDS in the Nigerian private sector and a vision of a private sector that responds to the growing challenges of HIV & AIDS ensuring equal rights and opportunities for employees infected or affected by HIV.

NIBUCAA facilitates the private sector response, including the development of workplace policies and intervention activities, and builds capacity for the private sector response.

UNAIDS/WHO.AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2005. Geneva: UNAIDS, 2005
Federal Ministry of Health. National HIV Seroprevalence Sentinal Survey for 2005