The Nigerian Government has introduced a long-acting injectable drug, Lenacapavir, as part of efforts to strengthen HIV prevention and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this during a media parley in Abuja, noting that the innovation expands Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit and provides more convenient options for individuals at risk of infection.
He said the drug, administered once every six months, offers a practical alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), especially for those who struggle with adherence.
According to him, Nigeria was selected by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter countries for the rollout of Lenacapavir, with about 52,000 doses already secured to support its introduction beginning in 2026.
“This marks a major milestone in our HIV prevention response and reflects our commitment to leveraging science and global best practices,” he stated.
Salako emphasised that the biannual injection is highly effective, discreet and suitable for key and vulnerable populations, adding that it will complement existing prevention methods, including oral PrEP and injectable Cabotegravir.
He explained that the introduction is expected to reduce new infections, expand access to prevention services and improve health outcomes nationwide.
He further noted that the government has developed a National PrEP Implementation Plan (2025–2028) and updated guidelines to ensure the safe and effective rollout of the new drug.
“Eight states, including the FCT, have been selected for the initial phase of implementation, following facility readiness assessments and stakeholder engagement”, he added.
Important Milestone
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, described the introduction of Lenacapavir as an important milestone in the country’s HIV response.
“This is an additional prevention option; it is not replacing any of the existing methods. We must continue to emphasise behavioural prevention and public awareness even as new drugs become available,” Ilori said. He urged the media to support public education on HIV prevention.
Also speaking the Director of Special Projects at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Dr Aderonke Agbaje, described Lenacapavir as a “significant milestone” that will improve uptake and adherence to HIV prevention, particularly among populations facing stigma and access challenges.
Dr Agbaje explained that the Institute is supporting the rollout through service integration, capacity building, community engagement and strengthened supply chain systems.
“By expanding prevention choices and tailoring them to individual needs, Nigeria is better positioned to reduce new infections,” she said.
The first batch of the drug is expected to arrive in March 2026, with national and facility-level launches planned across selected states as part of activities to scale up awareness and access.