Policy of Compulsory HIV Tests Before Marriage in Nigeria

According to Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), 4.4% of Nigerians are infected with HIV. Presently, the Anglican Church in Nigeria has implemented HIV testing in all Anglican dioceses as a prerequisite for marriage. Rev Akintunde Popoola, a spokesman for the Church explained that mandatory marriage is intended to help “couples to make informed decisions because we don't want anyone to be kept in the dark about their partner." The practice of HIV testing is also conducted in many Nigerian Christian Churches.

Prof Tunde Oshotimehin, the head of Nigeria’s state HIV control agency, finds the new policy of mandatory HIV testing unacceptable. He stated, "We cannot accept what the church is proposing. Every Nigerian must be allowed to decide on their own whether they want to be tested or not." Oshotimehin believes that mandatory testing and therapy will just encourage further denial of the deadly disease.

Just recently, Covenant University, a church-owned college in Otta, Ogun State, attempted to implement a policy that forced its graduates to take a HIV and pregnancy test as a condition for graduation. The policy failed due to widespread criticism from the government and human rights organizations. According to Prof. Osotimehin compulsory testing on university students is “a breach of the Fundamental Human Rights of the students."

For more information, please see:

“Nigeria: HIV Test - Naca Faults Covenant Varsity” This Day. 8 Aug 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200708080368.html

“Nigeria: Covenant University's HIV Test.” All Africa.com. 2 Aug 2007 http://allafrica.com/stories/200708030215.html“

HIV Test Before Nigerian Marriage.” BBC.com 17 Aug 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6951674.stm