Nigerian Radio Stations Advocate for More Domestic Funding for HIV and AIDS

Cool/Wazobia FM/Nigeria Info, a prominent radio station in Rivers state, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rivers State HIV/AIDS Domestic Resource Mobilization Technical Working Group (DRM TWG) to provide HIV-related programming over the next two years. The partnership, worth over 19 million Naira (approximately USD $48,000), aims to build awareness and strengthen advocacy for increased domestic resources for HIV and AIDS, including orphans and vulnerable children. The radio station reaches over 15 million listeners across Rivers state and southern Nigeria through three distinct channels: Cool FM targets youth with music and entertainment, Wazobia FM provides local content mainly in pidgin English, and Nigeria Info targets the general public with news and current affairs. The partnership will include daily public service announcements about the current HIV and AIDS situation, broadcast in both Pidgin and English, as well as monthly interviews with stakeholders, members of the Rivers State AIDS Control Agency (RIVSACA), and members of the DRM TWG, to be aired on Cool/Wazobia FM and quarterly on Nigeria Info. The Rivers State DRM TWG is a forum for cross-stakeholder collaboration to promote local funding for HIV and AIDS programs in the state, encourage public-private partnerships, and ensure efficient and effective use and management of both public and private funds for HIV and AIDS programs. The TWG is comprised of representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, state government, donors, implementing partners, and the media. The partnership between the DRM TWG and Cool/Wazobia FM/Nigeria Info is part of efforts geared toward stimulating domestic financing for Nigeria's HIV and AIDS response. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project, supported by USAID, is a five-year (2012-2017) global health project worth $209 million. The project aims to strengthen the health finance and governance functions of health systems in low- and middle-income countries, expanding access to life-saving health services. The HFG project is led by Abt Associates in collaboration with several other organizations, including Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, and Results for Development Institute. The partnership between the DRM TWG and Cool/Wazobia FM/Nigeria Info is expected to encourage other private sector partners to engage in the cause and promote local funding for HIV and AIDS programs in Rivers state. The Rivers State DRM TWG is making great progress in working with private sector bodies in new ways to generate more ownership and resources for the HIV and AIDS response.