Discrimination on the basis of HIV status
HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with over three million persons living with the condition. Throughout the history of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, persons living with the condition have faced stigma and discrimination in various areas including access to health services, access to education, access to employment, among others. In the past, because of lacunae in Nigerian law and jurisprudence, it has been the subject of debate whether Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS are adequately protected by law. Recent developments in legislation such as the federal HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act, 2014 and judicial decisions in 2012 and 2016 on discrimination on the basis of HIV status suggest a positive shift of the law to full protection of the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, particularly in the area of employment. This article provides an analysis of these recent developments in the law and argues that the time has come to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to include health status as a ground upon which one cannot be unduly discriminated against.