The so-called Third World has long been a playing field for developed nations, where their policies, products, and narratives dictate reality. Many developing nations have begun carving their own economic paths and are now recognized as emerging economies. However, Africa, despite its abundant resources, remains shackled by external influences. Nigeria, often considered the giant of the continent, is blessed with an estimated 53 mineral resources and a population of approximately 177 million. Yet, economically, the country remains dependent, accepting anything presented by the Western world without question. If packaged correctly, even a stone would sell in the Nigerian market.
One of the most controversial global health crises Africa faces is the HIV epidemic. This raises the question: What if the global HIV narrative is an economic distraction?
The HIV Epidemic and Economic Manipulation
Have we ever critically examined the HIV crisis in Nigeria and other developing nations? It has become more than just a health issue—it is a financial vacuum, diverting billions from other critical sectors of national development. The statistics are alarming: Nigeria ranks second in global HIV infection rates, with an estimated 3.1% of its population (approximately 6.5 million people) living with the virus.
In 2010 alone, Nigeria received $497.8 million for HIV-related programs, with $370.9 million coming from international donors such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and the World Bank. Over two billion male condoms and nearly 900,000 female condoms were distributed, amounting to billions of naira spent on preventive measures alone. Between 2002 and 2015, Nigeria secured over $225 million in loans and grants from the World Bank and other foreign donors to tackle HIV. Even billionaire philanthropists, such as Bill Gates, have poured vast resources into combating the virus. Yet, despite these monumental investments, infection rates continue to rise. Why?
HIV: A Health Crisis or an Economic Strategy?
Global health organizations have sent mixed messages about HIV prevention. At one point, the World Health Organization (WHO) claimed condoms effectively prevent HIV transmission. Later, reports surfaced that the microscopic holes in condoms were too large to block the virus. These contradictions raise an unsettling question: Is HIV a natural epidemic, or a manufactured economic strategy?
Why does HIV remain a predominant crisis in Nigeria, South Africa, and Brazil, but not in the United States or the United Kingdom? If the virus emerged in the U.S. in the early 1980s, why is it not as rampant there as it is in Africa? According to 2011 statistics, African Americans accounted for 47% of U.S. HIV cases, while other races had significantly lower rates. Could this indicate a targeted demographic influence?
The Politics of Global Health
Before writing this piece, I spoke with laboratory scientists who study viruses like HIV. Many admitted they rely entirely on global research findings without questioning the underlying politics. The reality is that developing nations do not control the narrative surrounding HIV. We did not discover the virus, nor did we design the testing machines or the treatment plans—we simply follow prescribed guidelines. This blind acceptance has led to a psychological dependency on foreign health interventions.
A dangerous misconception prevails among Nigerian youth: “What you don’t know won’t kill you.” This mindset fuels rising hospital admissions, as individuals misinterpret or ignore their health status. Worse still, the antiretroviral drugs prescribed to “manage” HIV may, in fact, weaken the immune system further, trapping individuals in a cycle of dependence on Western medicine.
The Hidden Truth About Cures
There have been claims of successful HIV treatments developed within Nigeria. A notable example is a professor from the University of Benin who reportedly achieved a 70% success rate in curing HIV, yet his findings were suppressed both nationally and internationally. Why? Because a cure would dismantle the multi-billion-dollar HIV industry.
The global health sector is arguably a financial empire, thriving on prolonged illnesses rather than cures. African nations continue borrowing millions from institutions like the World Bank to combat diseases, accumulating debt while simultaneously enriching lender nations. What if these billions were instead invested in Nigeria’s power sector or industrialization? The trajectory of the country’s development would be vastly different.
The Origin of HIV and Other Global Health Scares
HIV was first officially recognized in the U.S. in 1981, following a hepatitis B vaccine experiment conducted in 1978. The virus was initially associated with a small number of gay men. Today, mainstream narratives claim HIV originated in Africa, reinforcing negative stereotypes about the continent. But is this claim valid?
The Ebola virus follows a similar pattern. It was first documented in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, yet German records show cases as early as 1967. Why is Africa consistently labeled as the breeding ground for deadly diseases? Why do we accept these narratives without conducting independent research?
Reclaiming Africa’s Health Narrative
The African health sector must take control of its destiny. We must stop believing that all major diseases originate in Africa. The statistics and narratives shaping global health policy should be rigorously questioned. If HIV is a cousin virus with known characteristics, where is its cure? If the Western world truly wants to eradicate HIV, why suppress promising local research?
The time has come for Africa to wake up. The future lies in our ability to challenge global health narratives, invest in indigenous medical research, and develop homegrown solutions. We must break free from economic and intellectual dependence on the West. Let us start by reclaiming the fight against the most politicized, feared, and controversial disease of our time.
#AFRICANISATION: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Written by Owoyomi Oluwatosin Adedapo (OOA)